By Debbie Posateri on 5/26/2008

The next couple weeks are busy as we prepare for the closure of the 2007-2008 Academic Year.  Please review important dates in my blog below.  As a reminder, the final Decade Project is due in class this Friday.  Also, Textbooks are due in class on Thursday. 

The winners of the "Write to Lead" essay contest were announced and we are very proud of our Junior High students!  Out of over 1,200 entries Stargate Junior High has four winners!  I've attached the press release to my website for your review.  In the press release there is a complete list of the 54 winners and what schools they are from.  Watch the Rocky Mountain News for an article on this essay contest.  Below is a list of the Stargate students who are finalists and the state or territory they were assigned:

• Phillip Pang 7th Grade - Ambassad ... Read More »

By Debbie Posateri on 5/16/2008

The end is coming...we are currently studying the last few decades of the 20th Century.  I've posted what students will be doing in class through the end of the year to provide students will a vision of what is coming up.  I'm reviewing this with students in class so that there are no surprises.  Although it is the end of the year, this last project is a culminating project and final work is necessary for completion of this course.  Please email or contact me if you have any questions.

5/19 Monday - Community Service Day / National Volunteer Week

Students will participate in a community service project and a leadership project. 

5/20 Tuesday - Launch FINAL project

... Read More »

By Debbie Posateri on 5/12/2008

5/12 Monday - Part 1 World War II Test

• Part 1 of the test is 50 multiple choice questions.  Each question is worth 2 points for a total of 100 points.

5/13 Tuesday - Part 2 World War II Test

• Part 2 of the test is 5 short answers.  Each question is worth 5 points for a total of 25 points.
• IMPORTANT STUDY TIP:  The students have a choice to answer 2 of the 4 essential questions from Chapter 34-37, there will be two Dr. Suess Political Cartoons from World War II, and one question on the Cold War.

5/14 Thursday ... Read More »

By Debbie Posateri on 4/21/2008

Congratulations to the students whose essays on leadership were sent into the "Write to Lead" essay contest.  Winners will be announced on May 19th.  The students did some great thinking and writing on this important question and we hope to have a Stargate student represent Colorado as an Ambassador!  Good Luck

This Wednesday at lunch there is a W.A.C. Oscars Party!  If you are on a W.A.C. team come celebrate with us!

Monday 4/21 - Students were assigned homework on Chapter 35.  The essential question for this chapter is, "What kinds of opportunities and hardships did the war create for Americans at home and abroad?"  Students will look at 6 different groups:  G.I.s, Japanese Americans, African Americans, Women, Mexican Americans, and Jewish Ameri ... Read More »

By Debbie Posateri on 4/14/2008

Congratulations to the students who participated in the World Affairs Challenge this weekend at DU!  We are very proud of all of the students who participated.  Two of our teams came in 1st place and 4 individual students were honored for their work on the Collaborative Question and the Quiz.  The results will be posted on the DU website at http://www.du.edu/worldaffairschallenge

Monday 4/14 -  Today Ms. Krill and I introduced an essay contest on leadership.  Students will be bringing home application forms for the contest.  The essay is required but the contest is optional.  Students will be working on the essay in class this week.  We will be helping with the writing and editing of their work.  The final draft is due in class on Friday.  For more information on this co ... Read More »

By Debbie Posateri on 4/6/2008

There is a lot going on this week as students prepare for the World Affairs Challenge at DU this Saturday April 12th.  The bus will leave from Stargate at 6:45 on Saturday to get to D.U. on time.  All groups should have a final performance in front of Ms. Posateri this week.  Some groups are coming in on Friday 4/11 to polish their formal presentations. 

In additon, the students are studying World War II and the Holocaust and this week have the honor of meeting a Holocaust survivor Jack Adler.  Mr. Adler will meet with the 7/8 students and answer questions they have about the Holocaust.  For more information on Jack you can go to www.jackadler.com Read More »

By Debbie Posateri on 4/2/2008

Today was the final day for the "Change for Change" fundraiser and it was a big success.  Cody Southard challenged the students to raise $500 dollars in change for Invisible Children and Children's Hospital.  If the goal was met he would shave his head!  Well...the students final count was $820 dollars raised and now Cody has a new haircut!  Thanks to everyone involved.

I'm sending an update on class for Thursday and Friday:

Thursday 4/3 - Students will complete the DVD on World War II and will complete the notes for WWII introduction.  They will then begin a reading on the Holocaust. 

Friday 4/4 - Students will read about the rise of Hitler in Nazi Germany and will be introduced to the Holocaust.  Next week Jack Adler, a Holocaust Survivor, will be at our school to talk to the students ... Read More »

By Debbie Posateri on 3/30/2008

Monday 3/31 - Students will begin a unit on WWII.   A homework assignment on Chapter 34 will be assigned.  This homework is due on Friday.

Tuesday 4/1 - Students will watch a DVD covering the Origins of WWII. 

Wednesday 4/2 - Community and Elective

Thursday 4/3 - Students will continue watching a DVD covering the course of WWII.

Friday 4/4 - Geography Challenge on World War II.  Homework ... Read More »

By Debbie Posateri on 3/17/2008

Monday 3/17 - Students will be working in groups on a creative writing activity.  They will "tour" the United States to create a scrap book of photos and information on how ordinary Americans endured the hardships of the Great Depression.  They will analyze photos and music.  This project will take two full class days.

Tuesday 3/18 - Thursday 3/20 Students will complete their Great Depression Scrapbooks in class. 

Friday 3/21 - Students will work on the final essential question for the study of the Great Depression, "How did the expansion of the Government during the New Deal affect the Nation?"

Summary:  There is a modified schedule again this week due to CSAP testing.  There is no Social Studies homework this week. 

By Debbie Posateri on 3/10/2008

Monday 3/10 - Students will finish the Stock Market simulation for the 1920s and debrief the activity.  They will be working on the essential question, "What caused the most severe economic crisis in American History?"

Tuesday 3/11, Wednesday 3/12, Thursday 3/13 - Students will have a modified schedule due to CSAP Testing.  In Social Studies they will be working with the essential question, "How did the Federal Government respond to the economic collapse that began in 1929?"  The activity in class will be part of the study of Chapter 31. 

Friday 3/14 - Students will be working with the essential question, "How did ordinary Americans endure the hardships of the Great Depression?"&l ... Read More »