Data and Graphs – USA Today Snapshots

USA Today Snapshots Graphs—
Purpose: The purpose of this activity is to compare different types of graphs; to understand and explain why different graphs are used for different types of data; to analyze how particular graphs display information; to understand the reason that people may have for making graphs in particular ways; to view graphs critically and to formulate and ask questions related to the appearance and design of graphs.

Directions: Find two different types of graphs on the USA Today Snapshots Website:

USA Today Snapshots

1) Write a short descriptive paragraph about each of your two graphs. Give information about the title, type of graph, data included in the graph, and any other important or significant details that you notice. Use words like more, least, most, less, same, etc. Use numbers (including fractions, ratios, decimals, and percents if appropriate) to make your description more precise.

2) Complete the following activities for each of your two graphs (You may write your answers on notebook paper or you may type them using the word processor):
What conclusions can you draw from the data?
Why do you think this data is displayed in this format instead of some other?
Was this type of graph a good choice for this data? Why or why not?
Write a question that can be answered by looking at this graph.
Write two facts that you learned about the topic from reading this graph.
Write one question about this topic that you would like answered that cannot be answered by the data contained on the graph.

Evaluation Rubric
Mathematical Writing to Inform Checklist - for USA Today Snapshots Write Up

_______ My paragraphs have topic sentences. (state the purpose)

_______ My writing clearly informs the reader about the topic and uses at least three sentences to
support each topic sentence.

_______ My writing includes many specific details. (Numerical +/or process references)

_______ My sentences are well organized. (signal words: first, next, etc.)

_______ My word choices are appropriate for the audience.

_______ My writing includes words that show risk-taking. (knowledge of mathematical terminology)

_______ My closing sentence includes the specific final results. (tells results in numerical, strategical, process, etc. form)

Basic Microscope Work

To familiarize yourself with the use and care of a lab microscope, please study each of the following websites. Complete the quiz at the bottom of this page. Turn in your recorded score for credit on this project.





History of Microscopes
Microscope Care
Magnification
Parts of a Microscope
How to Use a Microscope
Preparing Microscope Slides

Take the microscope quiz (part 1): Parts Quiz -- Part I
Record your score here _________________________

Stories from Africa

As we begin our study of modern Africa, you will get some sense of the culture and values shared by the different peoples of the continent as you read some of the stories that are told to children.

Choose one of the following stories:

Outwitting the Imp (Congo)
The Sons of Sultan Bey (Libya)
Kone (Mali)
The Magic Twigs (The Yoruba Peoples: Nigeria)
The Blacksmith's Dilemma (Uganda)
Chief Five Heads (Zimbabwe)

Directions:

1) Choose ONE of the stories.

2) Use a sheet of notebook paper to write this assignment.

3) Write the title of the story and the country where it originated as the title on your paper.

4) Read the story.

5) Write the answers to the "thinking questions" that you will find at the end of your story. Your answers must be carefully written in complete sentences. Use correct grammar and spelling and your best penmanship.

6) Draw and color a full page sized illustration of your story.

Rubric --

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 All questions completely answered

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Answers show understanding of the story

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Picture illustrates the story idea

Dichotomous Key Activity

Practice using a dichotomous key.
To complete this activity, go to the EEK! Water Critter Key -- Life in a Pond website.

Pick a critter from the printed page given to you by Ms. Daniel. Circle the one you choose.

See if you can identify your critter by answering the questions in the dichotomous key.

When you find your critter, copy the information about it onto a 3x5 index card. Attach the picture from your worksheet.

Turn in your index card to receive credit for this activity.

You may practice with additional critters from the key if you have time.

Ivory Wars - Lesson Plan Library

Ivory Wars - Lesson Plan Library

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International Festival -- 2009

6th Grade International Fair Project –

This year’s 6th grade International Fair, on May 22, will focus on nations with significantly Muslim populations. Teams of students will work together to learn about the cultures of 10 different nations around the world. Each team will then make a multi-faceted presentation of what they learn and discover together to their classmates, parents, and friends.

Learning should include a variety of information about the geography, government, customs, cultural elements, and history of the assigned nation. Student groups are expected to prepare an attractive and informative display about their assigned nation (including an area where visitors could sample four to five dishes from the culture), and to present a cultural presentation that would include elements such as appropriate costumes, music, dance, poetry, story-telling, games, etc.

Your group has been assigned the following nation for the International Fair:
Egypt – Barbara, Erin, Matthew, Caroline
China/Taiwan -- Miki, Alex, Kennedy, Paul
Bosnia – Abby, Elena, Matt, Thomas
India – Courtney, Grace, Andre', Maddy
Iran – Nohemi, Joe, Megan, Garrett
Syria – Dani, Kylan, Katie, Shea
South Africa – Claudia, Kyndal, Will, Jensen
Palestine – Darcey, Robert, John, Michelle
Morocco – Helen, Alice, Jasmine
Ethiopia – Madison, Tia, Kirsten, Iain


Project Requirements --
1) General Poster – Map, Flag, Climate, System of government, Currency, Leader, Current events

2) Historical Timeline – Drawn to scale and illustrated. Timelines should display at least 10 important events in the history of your country. Five of these events must be illustrated.

3) Travel Guide Brochure – Places to visit, Usual weather, Tips for travelers, Special events

4) Biographical Poster of famous Muslim (required – one from each group member)
Scientist, Scholar, Artist, Poet, Musician, Architect, Leader, Athlete, Author, Doctor, Explorer, Women, etc.
Include – Date and place of birth, family, education, accomplishments, portrait, fun or interesting facts

5) Food Items from the culture (one required from each group member) – Your food item must serve at least 6. Bring to school the morning of the International festival in a container that is clearly marked with your name. Directions for serving the item should be attached (eg.: reheat, refrigerate, etc.) Provide recipes and required serving items (plates, bowls, cups, spoons, etc.)

6) Group Presentation – Each group will be required to make a cultural presentation about their country. Group members should dress in the caftans that we made in class. Material for the presentation may include any three of the following:

Summary and Description of Interview with Muslim Visitor
Poem
Prayer
Song
Dance
Story or Folktale
Dramatic scene
Game
Demonstration: craft, celebration, ceremony, ritual, etc.
Other (with teacher approval)

Resources –
Every effort will be made to connect students with a Muslim visitor from the country that they are studying. However, it is important to remember that these are volunteers who generously give of their time in order to facilitate this project. There is no guarantee that every group will have the opportunity to visit personally with a member of our local Muslim community.

General Information --
CIA World Factbook
Famous People by Nationality
Islamic Studies Topics
Story Garden
History for Kids
Islamic Poems for Kids
Classical Islamic Poetry
Islamic music

Links for Dances --
Traditional Syrian Dance
Traditional Iranian Dance
Traditional Ethiopian Dance
Traditional Egyptian Dance
Traditional Moroccan Dance
Traditional Bosnian Dance
Traditional South African Dance
Traditional Indian Dance
Traditional Taiwanese Dance
Traditional Palestinian Dance

International Festival Grading Criteria—

General Poster --
___ Map
___ Flag
___ Climate
___ System of government
___ Currency
___ Leader
___ Current events

___ Creative and attractive
Historical Timeline –
___ Drawn to scale
___ at least 10 important
___ Five of these events are illustrated

___ Creative and attractive
Travel Guide Brochure –
___ Places to visit
___ Usual weather
___ Tips for travelers
___ Special events

___ Creative and attractive
Biographical Poster of famous Muslim (required – one from each group member)—
___ Date and place of birth
___ Family
___ Education
___ Accomplishments
___ Portrait (picture)
___ fun or interesting facts

___ Creative and attractive
Food Items from the culture (one required from each group member) –
___ serves at least 6
___ in a container that is clearly marked with your name
___ Directions for serving the item attached
___ Provide recipe
___ required serving items supplied (plates, bowls, cups, spoons, etc.)
Group Presentation –
___ Group members should dress in the caftans that we made in class
___ Material for the presentation may include any three of the following:

· Summary and Description of Interview with Muslim Visitor
· Poem
· Prayer
· Song
· Dance
· Story or Folktale
· Dramatic scene
· Game
· Demonstration: craft, celebration, ceremony, ritual, etc.
· Other (with teacher approval)

Fraction Mathematics –

Task: Your task is to work your way through the fraction tutorials at the Cool Math Website. You will complete lessons 10 through 17 there, working with your partner.

Requirements: Each time you complete a lesson and are ready to move forward, you must get a worksheet from the file and complete it before moving ahead to the next lesson. Worksheets should be completed as homework and not done in the computer lab. (NOTE -- some lessons require more than one worksheet). Here is the list of lessons and required worksheets/quizzes:

Lesson 10 -- Fractions: How to Add Fractions When the Denominators are the Same
Lesson 11 -- Fractions: How to Subtract Fractions When the Denominators are the Same

Worksheet 6-3

Lesson 12 -- Fractions: How to Add and Subtract Fractions When the Denominators are Different

Worksheet 6-4

Lesson 13 -- Fractions: How to Add and Subtract Fractions with Whole and Mixed Numbers

Worksheet 6-5

Worksheet 6-6

Assessment: You have completed the lessons for the first half of this project. Take the Chapter 6 quizzes (there are three) to earn final credit for this unit. You must complete the test with a passing grade in order to finish this portion of the project. If you do not earn a passing grade on the quiz, you must go back to the appropriate lessons and review so that you might take the quiz again.

Lesson 14 -- Fractions: How to Multiply Fractions

Worksheet 7-2

Lesson 15 -- Fractions: How to Multiply Fractions with Whole and Mixed Numbers

Worksheet 7-3

Lesson 16 -- Fractions: How to Divide Fractions

Worksheet 7-4

Lesson 17 -- Fractions: How to Divide Fractions with Whole and Mixed Numbers

Worksheet 7-5

Worksheet 7-5 Enrichment

Assessment: You have completed the required lessons for this half of the unit. You will now take the final test for this unit. You must complete the test with a passing grade in order to finish this project.