Summer Time in the city

Hey everybody, 

I hope your summer is going well.  I'm trying to stay warm.  My a/c is not working and it is hot.  What are your plans for the summer.  I will be teaching a technology workshop at school Tuesday's, Wednesday's, and Thursday's from 12:30 - 3:30.  Come up and learn some cool stuff.  

Lesson plans week of 3-16-09

Monday

• Today we will learn about Fort Dearborn.  In 1808 the US Army built Fort Dearborn right next door to DuSable's cabin.  They did this for two reasons: 1) to protect the new settlers from the Native Americans (remember it was their land first) and 2) to act as the "police" of the town.  In 1812, during a war, Native Americans stormed Fort Dearborn, killed everyone, and burned down the town.  No one returned to Chicago, until Fort Dearborn was rebuilt in 1816.  Even then, people were scared of Native Americans.  The statue below was dedicated to the people that were killed, it still stands on the old site of Fort Dearborn (on Michigan Avenue where the river intersects).  For homework, write about this: Why do you think Native Americans killed everyone at Fort Dearborn?  Do you think it was a good thing or a bad thing?  Why?  

Tuesday 

• Today we will learn about Chicago's first "white" settler.  John Kinzie bought DuSable's house in 1804 and many credit him with the founding of Chicago.  But you know the truth, right?  While here in Chicago, he made a whole lot of money trading; he even had a contract with the US Army to be the only supplier to Fort Dearborn.  In 1812, Kinzie killed his neighbor and was found not-guilty.  He was a known slave trader and a corrupt politician.  So, I ask you, why there is a street in Chicago named after him?  For homework, write a letter to Mayor Daley telling him whether you like the street name or not.  Use specific facts from what you learned.  

Wednesday 

• Today, we will do current events.  Using any newspaper article, write the 5 W's.  

Thursday 

• Today, we will learn about the Great Chicago Fire 

Friday 

• Today, we will take a quiz and continue to learn about the Great Chicago Fire.  

Current Events week of 3-16-09

- Last Friday, the 28th CPS student was killed while trying to protect his two younger relatives.       Read about it here  Please post your comments.  How does this make you feel?  What do you         think should be done? 

- Its March Madness.  Check out ESPN's website here and read all about it.  Who do you want to     win? 

- Check out this week in rap here.  Do you recognize any of these current events.  Post your               comments on any of them.  

Lesson plans for the week of March 9, 2009

Here's what we will be working on this week

Monday: Today we will learn about the death penalty. Watch this video about the death penalty:


Once you watch the video please write the following on a sheet of paper:

1. On the front of the paper write about how you feel about the death penalty. Do you think that the death penalty is a good thing or a bad thing? Why? Use details from the movies to support your ideas.
2. On the back side of the paper write the pros and the cons of the death penalty
   

Tuesday: Today we will review our notes from yesterday and learn about the history of the death penalty. Did you know that the death penalty has been used for over 4,000 years? The death penalty dates all the way back to Hammurabi's Code 1900 years before the birth of Christ. It has been used by various cultures as a punishment for crimes. Many forms of the death penalty have been used including: hanging, boiling, burning, drowning, impaling, beating to death, and crucifixion. The most famous execution of all times is the death of Jesus Christ. When the death penalty came to America, Daniel Frank became the first American execution. In the 1800's many rules for slaves became incorporated in the death penalty laws. In North Carolina you could get the death penalty for giving a slave a book, or telling him to rebel. During the mid 1800's people began to see the death penalty as a bad thing. By 1853, 3 states had abolished the death penalty.

Wednesday: Today we will do current events. Using any newspaper article, please complete a current events template (the 5W's and how this article affects your life).

Thursday: Today we will begin to study the history of Chicago. We will study its founder. Do some research Jean Basptiste DuSable, and find out about him. Who was he? How did he discover Chicago? Write this down and turn it in. Also, watch this video


Friday: Today we will play Jeopardy.


Have a good weekend

Holla
Mr. Wilson

I need your help

I'm trying to put a list of cool websites together for us.  Can you please tell me what websites you like and a short description of each 

Holla 

Mr. Wilson 

Dear Obama

Just before the inauguration of Barack Obama, the students in the 5th/6th grade made a video for him. Check it out below and listen to what the students at May Community Academy want from their new president.

ISAT TESTING

Well folks, its that time of year again. ISAT (Illinois Standard Aptitude Test). How do you feel about the ISAT? Post your comments below.


GOOD LUCK.


Did you know that if you listen to J.S. Bach for 5 minutes before a test, you will do better?


Check out this video the staff made for you about the ISAT. Big ups to Dwayne T and Daevondre P. for their great camera work.