Rome Unit Authentic Assessment

The Roman Newspaper Project is a fun and engaging project for students to demonstrate what they learned about the rise and fall of Rome. The project gives them a focus area, but also allows them to report on events that they found most interesting. Each year I use this project as an authentic assessment following the end of the Rome unit. I have structured the assignment handout as a sample for students to see what a completed project should like. With this project, I introduce all the elements and requirements to the class and then devote the rest of class to planning using the Roman Newspaper Planner. I provide them with the blank Newspaper Template for their final draft, but I also allow students to turn in their own creations. Students really enjoy this project, as it is focused on the content, yet still allows them some creative freedoms. You can find this project here....Enjoy!

Oldie, but a goodie!

I have used this ice breaker for years and my students really enjoy it. I give them time to explore and meet new classmates and then once they are done, I go through each category and let them share a little about themselves and their summer. Enjoy!

Let the planning begin!

With August just around the corner it is time to start planning! Each year I love to revisit what I did last year and find new ways of doing things, but before you can begin planning it is important to have a place to jot it all day and stay organized. Here is a very simple and straight-forward planning template that I love to use with post-its (it is made for the smaller ones). Using post-its allows you to easily make changes and move things around from day to day or even week to week.

More Freebies

I am going to try and really stay up-to-date with this blog, so I am starting by posting another freebie. I am revamping my content vocabulary this year and am going to give the Frayer model a shot. I have created my own version here. Enjoy!

Getting to Know you Facebook Activity

Here is my version of a getting to know you facebook worksheet. I am planning on using it the first week of school. Get your copy here. or the editable version here

Form Freebie

I am incorporating many of the amazing ideas that I have come across on Pinterest and this is one of them. It's a missing assignment form, which you have students turn in when they do not have an assignment. I thought it would make it much easier to keep track of those who did not do something versus those who are absent. So here it is!

Prepping, prepping and more prepping!

What a few couple of weeks!!! Our rooms were renovated over the summer, so I have been attempting to put my room back together, which has proven to be a lot more work than I was ready for!! The nice thing about starting from scratch is that I have been able to purge and organize. So far I have a color scheme going and I have made some updates for the better!! Here is what i had to work with....

And here is what I have done so far....

Lastly, my major project was taking old beat up bookcases and turning them into something I could live with...

There is still much to be done including finishing up my room, planning, and getting everything to repro on time! Gotta love the beginning of a new school year!