Year of No Rain Day 7

DO NOW: Take out your homework from the weekend (East Africa Review Sheet). We will be going through it together.

CLASSWORK: Once you finish your journal, Use the class time to work on your iMovie for “Year of No Rain”

HOMEWORK: East Africa Review Sheet found in the Homework folder of Google Drive.

Year of No Rain Day 6

Hello! (Many East African countries speak English as well so that they can communicate with tourists!)

We have come to the end of our book. We have learned a lot about the people in the Sudan and the difficulties that they have been facing. Today we will finish up our discussion of the book and then begin our final project for the book.

DO NOW: Use the piece of paper on your group’s desk to create a T-chart like the one from your homework. As a group, create a new T- chart with 5 bullet points on each side. Decide which bullet points from all of your homework you find the most interesting and the most important.

CLASSWORK: The “Year of No Rain” is being turned into a movie. Create a movie trailer for the book using iMovie.

HOMEWORK: none

Year of No Rain Day 5

Jambo (Wow.. so many countries speak Swahili!)

So far, Stephen has had to deal with a lot of obstacles. Where will the boys decide to go? There seem to be so many pros and cons for all the different places. Today we will discuss what we think is going to happen next.

DO NOW: Complete as a group. Have your recorder create a table that looks like this:

        Go to Refugee Camp                                      Go Back to Village

    Pro                           Con                               Pro                     Con

With your group: Write three Pros and 3 Cons for each of the options. Then, decide which place you think the boys should go.

CLASSWORK: We will be discussing chapter 11-15 from the book “Year of No Rain”

HOMEWORK: Read chapters 16-18 on “Year of No Rain.” Answer the questions for chapters 16-18 on Year of No Rain in eBackpack.

Year of No Rain Day 4

Jambo! (In the country of Uganda, many people speak Swahili (like Kenya and Tanzania!))


Today we are going to have a WORK DAY! Read chapters 11-15 and answer the questions! Work =  Year of No Rain Book Questions in eBackpack.

HOMEWORK: Finish Reading chapters 11-15 on “Year of No Rain.” Answer the questions for chapters 11-15 on Year of No Rain in eBackpack.

Year of No Rain Day 3

Salama! (Hello from the island country of Madagascar!)

We have been reading the book 'Year of No Rain.' Life for Stephen and Wol are very different than ours. As we discuss today's chapters, think about what you would do if you were in their shoes.

DO NOW:  Answer the following questions

1. Where does this story take place? (Give as many details as you can)
2. Describe the violence that is going on right now. Why did it start? Who is it between? How is it affecting everyone in the country? (Use the introduction of your book for help.)

3. Why are cows so important?

CLASSWORK: We will be discussing the homework questions. Then, create a diary entry pretending that you are one of the boys running away and hiding in the forest. What are you thinking about? How do you feel? Must be at least 10 sentences.

HOMEWORK: Read chapters 11-15 on “Year of No Rain.” Answer the questions for chapters 11-15 for Year of No Rain in eBackpack.

Note: Tomorrow is a work day where you will be able to work on reading as well.

Year of No Rain Day 2

Oli Otya! (People in Uganda speak the tribal language of Luganda)

We started reading the book “Year of No Rain.” As we discuss the book, think about the following questions: What is Stephen's daily life like? How is Stephen’s life different than your own? Is it easier or harder? 

DO NOW: Answer the following questions
1. What is a refugee?
2. What is genocide?
3. What is imperialism?

CLASSWORK: We will be discussing the homework questions. Then, create a drawing of Stephen’s village using the descriptions in your book.

HOMEWORK: Read chapters 6-10 on “Year of No Rain.” Answer the questions for chapters 6-10 in eBackpack.

Year of No Rain Day 1

Jambo! (In the country of Tanzania, most people speak Swahili (like Kenya!))

Yesterday we started our book "Year of No Rain." Today we are going to have a WORK DAY! Read chapters 1-5 and answer the questions in eBackpack! 

Questions =  Year of No Rain in eBackpack Chapters 1-5.

HOMEWORK: Finish Reading chapters 1-5 on “Year of No Rain.” Answer the questions for chapters 1-5 due TOMORROW!

Imperialism and Genocide Day 2

Saleem Aleikum! (In Sudan, many people are Muslims and speak Arabic)

On Friday we started to learn about imperialism and genocide in East Africa and how it lead to horrible acts of violence called genocides. Genocides are still occurring all over the world. Today we are going to finish our discussion on genocide. Then, we are going to begin our novel study about a boy who lived during a genoicde.

DO NOW: Using the AFRICA VOCABULARY sheet in eBackpack to answer the following questions:

1. What is imperialism?

2. What is genocide?

3.  How did imperialism help start genocides in East Africa?

CLASSWORK: Discuss the current issue happening in the Sudan. Then we will begin the book “Year of No Rain”

HOMEWORK: Finish your Safari Journals. They are due tomorrow!

ALSO: Current Events are due Tomorrow!