This week in social studies, we are focusing on the great changes that occured in the last 200 years that were brought about by the Industrial Revolution, changes in the production of goods, in trade, transportation and communication. For example, I pointed out to the 7th and 8th graders that in 1803 people were still getting about by walking, riding, and sailing, as they had done for thousands of years, but over the next century, transportation changed so much that people could travel by taking a train, riding in an automobile, and finally, thanks to the Wright Brothers, they’d soon be able to travel through the air.

 

 

This week we finished up the commercials that our groups made utilizing the techniques companies use to appeal to consumers; I call this the lighter side of propaganda.  Now we have begun the second poetry unit, focusing on the power of language in poetry.  We read this today: 

 

Sea-Fever

BY JOHN MASEFIELD

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking. 

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying. 

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

In conjunction with Morah Amayla in Hebrew,  the students started a Pop Art project in art class involving portraits of famous Isralei women in the style of Andy Warhol. They learned how to use the windows as a light table!