Monday, January 12, 2015

Research Paper Time!

We are now one week into our month-long research paper. 
As you're researching your topic, remember this: a research paper is not a report because it has a narrative, driven by change, causes and effects.  If you don't focus on those important pieces of the puzzle, then your paper is just a report.

Basic Info:
Minimum 10 Sources
.gov | .edu | .org (not wiki), or books are the best sources of information
ONLY 3 .com sources allowed

Notes Check Dates: Wednesday, January 14; Friday, January 16
First Rough Draft Check: Friday, January 23rd

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

RESEARCH PAPERS!

There are four topics from which you have to choose regarding our papers.  They are the following:

1. The College Experience - How has college access changed from WWII through today?

2. Women's Role in Modern Society - How has women's role in society progressed and changed since WWII?

3. Technology in Sports - How has technology changed sports over the last 50 years?

4. The Panama Canal - How has the Panama Canal changed international trade?

Please see your handout sheet or ask Mr. Gallagher for more detailed information regarding focusing your paper.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

CURRENT EVENT PROJECT PRESENTATION SCHEDULE

Monday, December 15th:
AM CORE: Robbie’s Group, Bryana’s Group, Mitchell’s Group, Alden’s Group, Thomas’ Group
PM CORE: Jose & Jonathan, Seth’s Group, Bryce’s Group, Sean’s Group, Vanessa’s Group

Tuesday, December 16th:
AM CORE: Jackson’s Group, Arianna’s Group, Hadley’s Group, Kaitlyn’s Group
PM CORE: Kayla’s Group, Riley’s Group, Anthony’s Group, Cass’s Group

Wednesday, December 17th:
AM CORE: Drake’s Group, Mary’s Group

PM CORE: Alex’s Group, Sierra’s Group

Monday, November 24, 2014

DECEMBER 2014

The year is wrapping up, but we're not done yet!

2014 Current Events Project Dates:
Paragraphs (Rough Drafts) Due: Monday, December 8th
Computer Time: Through Wednesday, December 10th
Presentations: December 16th-18th

Friday, October 17, 2014

Persuasive Essay Information

Your Essay is on one of the following topics:

MVMS should have 8th grade students mentor 6th grade students

Newberg School District should (or should not) have a one week Autumn Break.

Due Dates:

Rough Draft - Friday, October 17th
Final Copy - Friday, October 24th

Thursday, October 9, 2014

PERSUASIVE ESSAYS!

We're starting persuasive essays in WRITING on Monday, October 13th!!
Stay tuned for important dates and information regarding the essay...

Friday, August 22, 2014

Clean Slate 2014-2015

WELCOME BACK and WELCOME TO MY BLOG

The term "Clean Slate" is an idiom. Its origins lie in the fact that people (mainly students in the 18th and 19th centuries) used small rectangular slates (like small chalkboards) for their work as pencils hadn't yet been perfected and as we all know, students need to erase a good amount.  The idiom, "Start with a Clean Slate" comes from erasing all previous problems and issues and starting over again.



This applies to my classes because this is a totally new year.  For the most part, your teachers don't know you.  Even if they do know you or are aware of a reputation, for good or bad, you get a second chance at a first impression this year.  Be sure to take advantage of your fortune and let's all start off on the right foot.

I'm looking forward to a great year, and hope you are as well.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

2013-2014 Class Photos!

Here are our class photos. We had a great year; enjoy high school!



Thursday, May 29, 2014


The yearbook has arrived and it is AWESOME. We have fewer than 100 copies of the yearbook left available for you to purchase, and when they are gone, they are GONE! Don't miss out! Bring $20 to the office or use a credit/debit card at the MV Webstore!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

CIVIL RIGHTS SPEECHES - SCHEDULE



AM CORE:
Speeches Starting Tuesday, June 3rd
1. Emmett Till
2. SNCC
3. Plessy v Ferguson, etc
4. KKK
5. Montgomery Bus Boycott
6. Malcolm X / MLK
7. Birmingham
8. 16th Street Bombing
9. Little Rock Nine
10. Mississippi Freedom Summer
PM CORE:
Speeches Starting Tuesday, June 3rd
1. Emmett Till
2. Montgomery Bus Boycott
3. Plessy v Ferguson, etc
4. SNCC
5. Malcolm X / MLK
6. KKK
7. Birmingham
8. 16th Street Bombing
9. Freedom Riders
10. Little Rock Nine


Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Following Spring Break


In April, we're getting into the Civil War and narrative writing as a core class.  These two subjects will consume the majority of our time for April; the Civil War will spill over into May as well.
April 7th-11th: Official District Writing Assessment

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Oregon Trail Exercise

Make Sure to Follow Directions on Your Worksheets While Reading This Information

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Government Branches Project Update

Paper Organization:
1st paragraph: Intro/main job of branch, how people become part of the branch
2nd paragraph: Primary powers/responsibilities of your branch - DETAILED!!
3rd: Checks and balances, specific to all branches/conclusion

DUE DATES:
Friday/Monday (A & B), 2/21 or 2/24 - Complete Rough Draft of Paper Due
Week of 2/24 - Working on visual project in class
Monday/Tuesday, March 3rd/4th - Finishing Touches on Visual
Wednesday/Thursday March 5th/6th - Everything Final Due

Thursday, February 13, 2014

HOORAY, U.S. GOVERNMENT!
I love this section of curriculum because we learn about the government under which we all live.  I will continually try to share how our government pertains to you and how it can and will affect all of our lives.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

NEW YEAR, NEW PROJECT!!
RESEARCH PROJECT ON ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
Henry Ford
Olympics
September 11th, 2001
Your topic has some specific parameters, so make sure to refer to your handouts.
DUE DATES:
First Five Sources: Due Wednesday, January 15th
Thesis: Due Wednesday, January 15th
Full Ten Sources: Due Tuesday, January 21st
Outline: Due Friday, January 24th
Rough Draft: Due Monday, February 3rd
Works Cited Page: Due Monday, February 10th
Final Draft: Due Monday, February 10th

Monday, December 2, 2013

Important December Dates!

Reading - Figurative Language Quiz - Retake by 12/6
L.A. - Persuasive Essay - Rewrite by 12/13
Causes of the Revolution Quiz - 12/13
Current Events Project Presentations - 12/16-12/17

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Next Two Weeks

Persuasive Essay:
Rough Draft is due Friday, November 1st - Appropriately Underlined
Final Draft is due Friday, November 8th - This is considered an assessment

Early Colonial Life Test:
Friday, November 8th
This covers the earliest settlements (Roanoke/Jamestown), interactions with Native Americans, and the New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

UPCOMING DATES!!

Scored < 70%? You MUST retake your SPEECH by Tuesday, October 29th and fill out the retake form.  See me to schedule a time.
Scored < 70%? You MUST retake your PILGRIMS TEST and complete the retake form by Friday, November 1st.

We are also starting work on our persuasive essays Wednesday. I will give you an outline sheet that is due Tuesday, October 29th.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

UPCOMING QUIZ!

Friday, October 18th
Test on early English settlements / "We Shall Remain"
Friday, October 18th

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

UPCOMING RETAKE/REDO DATES

ATTENTION GALLAGHER'S 8th GRADERS:
The dates that the essay rewrites are due are as follows:
State History: Wednesday, October 9th
State Geo/Econ: Monday, October 14th
State Politics: Wednesday, October 16th
Sub/Pred/Clause Quiz Retake Day: Tuesday, October 8th - BEFORE OR AFTER SCHOOL. Get here at 7am or be here right after school.