Tex-orama Dioramas and TumblerCam - It's a thing!
Hello and Happy Friday 7th Grade Texas History parents,
So the lucky rocks are rolling in (get it? Rock.. Roll..). Special thanks to our parents who sent in their extra tumblers. Mr. Young had way too much fun this week playing with the double barrel tumbler on loan from one of our 7th grade Dads.
Mr. Young also set up our document cameras with a Zoom link so Ms. Oricchio's class can peek into our "Tumbler Cam" showing all the steps at loading the barrel with student rocks, adding the grit and water, and then firing up the tumbler. (yep, we're nerds!) It also gives us an excuse to talk to each other on our walkie talkies between our classrooms. #hehehehehe
Stay tuned for more rock updates. This is going to take awhile. Students, if you haven't brought in your lucky rock yet for polishing.. remember: no bigger than the inside of an okay sign.
We're two months into school and getting a little fancy here. If you visit the rest of our Texas History website, you will find that we have a new section showcasing student projects. We have pictures of most of the dioramas posted and will be adding more over the next few days. So, check back if your student can't find their project.
What we learned - we have some amazing artists in 7th grade! The creativity and the research that went into each diorama is something we are really proud of, but most importantly everyone learned a lot about working together as a small group on a common goal. We saw some true collaboration over the past couple of weeks and can't wait for the next project down the line (stay tuned!).
#NewUnit #NewTopics #NativeAmericansOfTexas
So we have moved on to our next unit, Native Americans of Texas. Student interest is high and that is so gratifying to see. If you'd like a good resource to dip into to continue our conversations about Native Americans at home, we highly recommend the Bob Bullock Museum's web site as a good starting place. After learning about the four geographic regions of Texas, now we are exploring how the land shaped the way of life of the people who have lived here over the centuries. How was life and survival different in the Piney Woods of East Texas compared to the plains of West Texas? What natural resources would you be able to use to make your home, use as a food source, or barter and trade for other things you need from faraway?
Right now we are focusing on getting some foundational knowledge about the different tribal groups of Texas. But, all of this is leading up to a game we created called "Four Corners". Next week, students will be divided into four groups - Pueblo, Plains, Woodlands and Coastal/Southern Plains groups. Some students will be assigned to the wrong group on purpose. From there groups will have to trade and negotiate to get all their people home who are scattered to the other corners.
#UpcomingWeek #AgendaTime
Monday - Pueblo and Plains Native Americans
Tuesday - Ketchup Day (ask your student... but, they mayo or mayo not remember.)
Wednesday - Pick your Shaman/Barter Demo
Thursday - Prepare for Four Corners
Friday - Four Corners Game
#OneLastThing #SettlersOfCatan #ThanksAgainParents
The club can also meet after school to continue play. We're probably going to need some extra sets and extension packs, but we were able to get started and it's already a hit. Your students are always welcome to join us during after school tutoring time for board games and puzzles until 4:30 Mon, Tue, and Thursdays.
Thank you parents for sharing your kids with us and all you do to support Texas History.
Have a great weekend and Happy Trails,
Ms. Oricchio and Mr. Young
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