7th MATH WEEK 6

.

7th

MATH

WEEK 6

SMS 7- 6 Mathematics

School: Swainsboro Middle School

Week of: May 18th-22nd, 2020

Grade: 7th

Teacher Names and Email Addresses:

Mrs. Martha Thomas: [email protected]

Mrs. Antoinette Harris: [email protected]

Mrs. Kewonica McBride: [email protected]

Monday: Complete problems 1-5 - Integer with PEMDAS task cards on page 3.

(Please remember parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and

subtraction in order from left to right).

Tuesday: Complete problems 6-10 - Integer with PEMDAS task cards on pages 4 &

5. (Please remember parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division, addition,

and subtraction in order from left to right).

Wednesday: Complete problems 11 -16 - Integer with PEMDAS task cards on

pages 5 & 6. (Please remember parenthesis, exponents, multiplication, division,

addition, and subtraction in order from left to right).

Thursday & Friday: This activity is for students to get extra practice on converting

rational numbers to percent, decimals and fractions. Find the matching cards for

each rational number for instance 1/2 .50 and 50%, sort each card and match the

equivalent values for each form of rational number Fraction, Decimal and Percent.

.

(-5)2 – 2 x (-9) + 6

3 x 10 + 8 - 42

(-9)-(-8) + 2 x 42

(-3)3 - 2 + 8 / (-8)

8 ÷ (-4) x (-6)2 + 7

4 x (-8) + 6 – (-2)3

.

4w + 2y W = -1 Y = 3

10 x 5 – (-6)2 + (-8)

4 x (-6) ÷ 8 + 33

X – 3(-z) X = 6 Z = -2

Xy ÷ z X = 6 Y = 3 Z = -2

9z ÷ x

X X = 6 Z Z = -2

X2 – y2 X= 6 Y = 3

.

2x + y Z + w

W= -1 X = 6 Y = 3 Z = -2

3x - z -w

W = -1 X = 6 Z Z = -2

(-x + z)2 ÷ 8

X = 6 Z = -2

Answer Key

Answer Key

1.) 49 2.) 22 1.) 49 2.) 22

3.) 31 4.) -30 3.) 31 4.) -30

5.) -65 6.) -18 5.) -65 6.) -18

7.) 6 8.) 24 7.) 6 8.) 24

9.) 2 10.) 0 9.) 2 10.) 0

11.) -9 12.) -3 11.) -9 12.) -3

13.) 27 14.) -5 13.) 27 14.) -5

15.) 20 16.) 8 15.) 20 16.) 8

.

7th

READING

WEEK 6

Reading—Monday May 18th

Greta Thunberg backs climate

general strike to force leaders

to act

By Jonathan Watts, The Guardian on 04.29.19

Word Count 1,093

Level MAX

Swedish environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg addresses politicians, media and guests with the Houses of

Parliament on April 23, 2019, in London, England. Her visit coincides with the ongoing "Extinction Rebellion"

protests across London, which have seen days of disruption to roads and transport systems, in a bid to highlight

the dangers of climate change. Photo by: Leon Neal/Getty Images

Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist, has given her support for a general

strike for the climate, saying the student movement she inspired needs more support from older

generations to ensure politicians keep their promises under the Paris agreement.

Speaking at a public event in London as Extinction Rebellion protests continued in the capital, the

initiator of the school strike for climate movement was typically frank about the scale of the problem

the world faces and the impact her campaign has made. "People are slowly becoming more aware,

but emissions continue to rise. We can't focus on small things. Basically, nothing has changed," she

said.

At several points, she stressed the need for the protests to spread. "This is not just young people

being sick of politicians. It's an existential crisis," Thunberg said. "It is something that will affect the

future of our civilization. It's not just a movement. It's a crisis and we must take action accordingly."

In a question-and-answer session, Franny Armstrong, the director of the climate documentary "The

Age of Stupid," asked whether it was time for a general strike. "Yes," replied Thunberg in unison with

the other members of the panel.

Traditional unions have so far been wary of joining the strikes. Although workers' federations in Italy

made Thunberg an honorary member, most others have given either tepid support or none due to

concerns about the possible impact on jobs. But there is growing support in the United Kingdom, the

United States and other countries for a Green New Deal that would increase spending on renewable

energy.

The talk took place on Earth Day, after a week of protests by Extinction Rebellion activists pushed the

climate crisis onto news broadcasts and newspaper front pages.

Police have arrested more than 1,000 demonstrators at Parliament Square, Oxford Circus and

Waterloo Bridge, but hundreds remain camped in Marble Arch, where Thunberg spoke on Sunday.

"I support Extinction Rebellion. What they are doing is good. Civil disobedience is important to show

this is an emergency. We need to do everything we can to put pressure on the people in power," she

told the audience on Monday, prompting cheers and applause.

"Why study for a future that is being taken from us? Why study for facts when facts don't matter in

this society? It's empowering to know I am doing something. I am taking a stand, I am disrupting."

.

The interest in the event was so intense that a long line of supporters stretched along Euston Road

waiting for the doors to open at Friends House. Most guests appeared to be fellow school strikers. A

handful wore shirts or headbands printed with the Extinction Rebellion symbol.

But the audience included all age groups, and just about every major environment organization

associated itself with the talk, which was hosted by the Quakers and co-organized by Guardian Events.

When Thunberg appeared on stage, she was greeted with thunderous applause.

Armstrong said, "I've been to dozens of talks here over the years, but I've never seen anything like

this. It's the first time I have seen a standing ovation even before the event starts. She's a rock star."

In the past week, Thunberg has met Pope Francis in the Vatican and addressed members of the

European Parliament. On Tuesday, she will visit the Houses of Parliament, meet the House of

Commons Speaker, John Bercow, and take part in an event with the leaders of all the main parties

except Theresa May.

She told the audience she had been taken by surprise at the swift spread of a movement that began

less than a year ago, when she went on strike alone outside the Swedish Parliament. "It is hard to

understand what is happening during the last months. It has all happened so fast. I don't have time to

think it through," she said.

Veteran observers of the British Parliament said she has helped push the climate issue higher up the

U.K. political agenda than at any time since the 2008 Climate Change Act.

Green Party officials said they hoped the meeting on Tuesday could spur a new phase of cross-party

collaboration on climate change, including monthly meetings, wider public consultations and an

agreement that party manifestos should be vetted by an independent body such as the Committee on

Climate Change to assess whether they are in line with the Paris agreement.

Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP, said the current wave of climate action on the streets and the

school strikes gave her hope. "There is more political leadership there and here than I have seen in

Westminster. It feels like a turning point in the history of how we defend our planet," she said.

"Young people are calling out against a system that is sadly broken … We are going to change the

definition of what is politically possible so that it is what is scientifically necessary."

The discussion ranged from veganism and avoiding flying to political change throughout society.

Thunberg said everything was necessary, though she put the focus on challenging the companies and

governments that are responsible for the bulk of emissions.

How to deal with people in power was a frequent subject of questions to the panel. Thunberg said her

autism helped her filter out much of the greenwashing.

"We are more likely to see through lies. We don't follow the stream. You can't be a little bit

sustainable — either you are sustainable or you are not," she said.

There were occasional moments of levity, such as at one point when Thunberg was asked how she

dealt with climate deniers. "I don't," she replied.

Thunberg's earlier point was reiterated by Anna Taylor from the UK Student Climate Network. "We

are not going to be satisfied by politicians saying 'we support you' and then walking away," she said.

"We won't be satisfied until they meet our demands and act. That's why simply taking a selfie or

posting support on Twitter isn't enough. That's why we have to keep striking."

For all the talk of politics and protest, however, some of the most poignant and pertinent questions

came from the youngest children. One asked, "If pollution continues, how much time have we got

left?" Another wanted to know, "Can we achieve our goal in the time we have?"

Thunberg, in response, was reassuring but measured, "Of course we can, it's physically possible, the

scientists say. It's up to us. If we do this now then of course we will. But if we don't, we might not do

it. But yes, definitely we can."

Quiz

1 Which two of the following sentences from the article include central ideas of the article? 1. Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist, has given her support for a general strike for the climate, saying the student movement she inspired needs more support from older generations to ensure politicians keep their promises under the Paris agreement. 2. But there is growing support in the United Kingdom, the United States and other countries for a Green New Deal that would increase spending on renewable energy. 3. On Tuesday, she will visit the Houses of Parliament, meet the House of Commons Speaker, John Bercow, and take part in an event with the leaders of all the main parties except Theresa May. 4. Thunberg said everything was necessary, though she put the focus on challenging the companies and governments that are responsible for the bulk of emissions.

(A) 1 and 2 (B) 1 and 4 (C) 2 and 3 (D) 3 and 4

2 Which statement from the article would be MOST important to include in an objective summary of the article? (A) Armstrong said, "I've been to dozens of talks here over the years, but I've never seen anything like this. It's the first time I have seen a standing ovation even before the event starts. She's a rock star." (B) "It is hard to understand what is happening during the last months. It has all happened so fast. I don't have time to think it through," she said. (C) Veteran observers of the British Parliament said she has helped push the climate issue higher up the U.K. political agenda than at any time since the 2008 Climate Change Act. (D) One asked, "If pollution continues, how much time have we got left?" Another wanted to know, "Can we achieve our goal in the time we have?" 3 Which of the following MOST influenced Thunberg's movement? (A) the lack of action on the part of political and corporate leaders in response to worsening climate change (B) the information she learned in her science classes about how climate change could potentially affect the planet (C) the support pledged by world leaders via Twitter posts and selfies to prevent climate change from getting any worse (D) the facts included in the climate change documentary "The Age of Stupid" produced by Franny Armstrong 4 Why was Caroline Lucas impressed by young climate change activists? (A) because they submitted numerous ideas for environmental sustainability to Parliament (B) because they convinced workers' unions to commit to a general strike for climate change (C) because they displayed a level of political leadership not seen among members of the government (D) because they resisted arrest to continue protesting and to attend Thunberg's speech

.

Tuesday, May 19th

New exhibit reflects the changing perception of Indigenous art By Smithsonian, adapted by Newsela staff on 01.30.20

Word Count 888

Level 1080L

Image 1. "The Grand Canyon," by Tony Abeyta (Navajo), 2015. Image courtesy of National Museum of the

American Indian

The story of American art is being rewritten at museums. This time, they're including the original

Americans.

Paul Chaat Smith is a curator at the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI).

He says that, traditionally, Indigenous American art and artifacts have been exhibited alongside

African and Pacific Islands art. They also might be in an anthropology department, or even in a natural

history wing "next to the mammoths and the dinosaurs."

However, that has changed in recent years, Smith said, with "everyone understanding that this doesn't

really make sense."

"Part Of The Fabric Of American Art"

Smith is one of the curators of "Stretching the Canvas: Eight Decades of Native Painting," a new

exhibition at the NMAI's George Gustav Heye Center in New York City. The show highlights questions

of where Indigenous American art and artists truly belong.

The paintings are all from the museum's own collection. They range from the illustrative works of

Stephen Mopope and Woody Crumbo in the 1920s and 1930s to Jaune Quick-to-See Smith's "Trade

Canoe: Adrift" from 2015. Her work shows a canoe overloaded with Syrian refugees. Some paintings

include clear Indigenous imagery while others don't. Almost all show their artists as deeply engaged

with non-Native art, past and present. The artists reflect their knowledge of American and European

art movements, from Renaissance painting to Modernist abstract work and Pop art.

"American Indian artists, American Indians

generally speaking, were sort of positioned in the

United States as a separate, segregated area of

activity," said the museum's David Penney. He is

another of the show's curators. The goal of

"Stretching the Canvas" is to show how these

artists are "part of the fabric of American art since

the mid-20th century," he said.

The show opens with a room of blockbusters, a

group of paintings the curators believe belong on

the walls of any major museum. They include

powerful works by Fritz Scholder, Kay WalkingStick,

James Lavadour and others.

Restrictions Placed On Indigenous Art

For decades, Indigenous American art wasn't just overlooked, it was intentionally isolated from the

rest of the art world. In the first half of the 20th century, government-run schools, philanthropists and

others who supported Indigenous American art often saw it as a path to economic self-sufficiency for

the artists. That meant preserving a traditional style, at least as defined by non-Indigenous people. At

one school, for example, Indigenous American art students were forbidden to look at non-Native art

or even mingle with non-Indigenous students.

In painting in particular, Indigenous American artists of the 1920s, 1930s and beyond were often

confined to illustrations of Indigenous people in a flat, two-dimensional style that was easy to print

and sell. Indigenous artists were also restricted in where they could exhibit their work. Only a few

museums and shows were open to them, which presented almost exclusively Indigenous art.

The doors began to crack open in the 1960s and 1970s. Art education for Indigenous Americans

broadened. Mario Martinez, who has two large paintings in the exhibition, cites artists Wassily

Kandinsky and Willem de Kooning among his major influences. He was introduced to European art

history by his high school art teacher in the late 1960s and never looked back.

Yet even now, another artist in the show, America Meredith, senses a divide between Indigenous

Americans' art and the art world as a whole. She talks about the challenge of overcoming

"resistance" from non-Indigenous viewers. She said when they see Indigenous images, they think, "Oh,

this isn't for me. I'm not going to look at this." Indigenous American artists have to draw a viewer in, as

if saying, "Come on, come on, hold my hand, look at this imagery," she said.

Meredith's work in the show, "Benediction: John Fire Lame Deer," a portrait of a Lakota holy man,

combines references to old European icons, the children's book illustrator Richard Scarry, Indigenous

American Woodland style art and the Muppets. "I definitely use cartoons to entice people," she said.

"People feel safe, comfortable."

More Museums Featuring Indigenous Art

Penney said the exhibition comes at a moment when "major museums are beginning to think about

how Indigenous American art fits" into the story of American art history. Nine years ago, the Museum

of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts opened a new Art of the Americas wing. It integrated Indigenous

American work with the rest of its American collections.

In New York City, the Whitney Museum of American Art has a show by Mohawk artist Alan

.

Michelson. Also in New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2018 for the first time displayed

Indigenous art in its American wing, instead of with African and Oceanic arts. Later in December, the

Metropolitan will show two paintings by Cree artist Kent Monkman.

Kathleen Ash-Milby, curator of Indigenous American art at the Portland Art Museum in Oregon, also

worked on "Stretching the Canvas." She said the art world is reconsidering what American art is.

As an example, Paul Chaat Smith points to Jaune Quick-to-See Smith. She has been working for

decades but is getting new attention at age 79. "Not because her work is different," he said.

"Because people are now able to be interested in Native artists."

Quiz

1. Read the list of sentences from the article.

1. He says that, traditionally, Indigenous American art and artifacts have been exhibited

alongside African and Pacific Islands art.

2. Nine years ago, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts opened a new Art of

the Americas wing.

3. In New York City, the Whitney Museum of American Art has a show by Mohawk artist

Alan Michelson.

4. Also in New York, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2018 for the first time displayed Indigenous art in its American wing, instead of with African and Oceanic arts. Which two sentences taken together provide the BEST evidence to support the idea that the way people think about and display Indigenous art has changed from the past? (A) 1 and 2 (B) 2 and 3 (C) 3 and 4 (D) 1 and 4

2. Read the statement below. The Indigenous art in the new exhibits illustrates the influences of diverse forms and ideas on the artists. Which sentence from the article provides the BEST support for the above statement? (A) They range from the illustrative works of Stephen Mopope and Woody Crumbo in the 1920s and 1930s to Jaune Quick-to-See Smith's "Trade Canoe: Adrift" from 2015. (B) The artists reflect their knowledge of American and European art movements, from Renaissance painting to Modernist abstract work and Pop art. (C) The show opens with a room of blockbusters, a group of paintings the curators believe belong on the walls of any major museum. (D) Mario Martinez, who has two large paintings in the exhibition, cites artists Wassily Kandinsky and Willem de Kooning among his major influences. 3. According to the article, why were Indigenous American artists often isolated from other artists in the 1920s? (A) Indigenous artists chose to intentionally separate themselves from other artists so they could develop their own style. (B) Non-Indigenous students were often accused of copying the traditional style of art used by Indigenous artists. (C) High school art teachers had at one time tried to get Indigenous artists to replace their personal styles with European art styles.

(D) Schools believed Indigenous artists could sell only art that was a traditional style, and museums were often closed to them. 4. Why does America Meredith choose to use cartoon images in her art? (A) Meredith says they make people feel comfortable and interested. (B) Meredith says she grew up reading the books of Richard Scarry. (C) Meredith says the shapes mimic the traditional style people expect. (D) Meredith says some remind her of old European iconic images.

Wednesday—May 20th

Amid coronavirus, museum asks people to remake artworks with household items

By Jennifer Nalewicki, Smithsonian.com, adapted by Newsela staff on 04.07.20

Word Count 635

Level MAX

Image 1. Johannes Vermeer's "The Astronomer" from 1668 (left) and a recreation by Zumhagen-Krause and her

husband featuring tray table, blanket and globe (right). Photo: J. Paul Getty Museum

Museums have closed their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, people are finding ways to feel

artistically inspired from the comfort of their homes.

The J. Paul Getty Museum is in Los Angeles, California. On March 25, it sent out a tweet asking

individuals self-isolating at home to recreate their favorite pieces of artwork. But there was a catch.

Participants must make their masterpieces using everyday household items.

After days of being cooped up inside, members of the public proved more than willing to accept the

challenge. They responded with personalized remakes of many pieces. This includes work by Paul

Cézanne, Rembrandt van Rijn, Johannes Vermeer, Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso. Some stay-at-home

artists pulled from their stashes of coronavirus supplies. This included rolls of toilet paper and coffee

filters, for instance. Others enlisted the help of their pets, children's toys and even that morning's

breakfast toast to remake the perfect portrait.

The Getty's challenge was inspired by a similar online event. This was presented by the Rijksmuseum

in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, earlier in March. So far, the Los Angeles museum has received

thousands of submissions. And no two are the same.

.

"There's a really great one where a woman took an

ancient Greek sculpture and recreated it to a tee by

posing with a canister vacuum," says Annelisa Stephan.

She is the Getty's assistant director for digital content

strategy. "There have been thousands of amazing ones.

… Some of them are brilliant artistically, but they're all

just really funny."

Other standouts, adds Stephan, include a version of the

Louvre's "Winged Victory of Samothrace." It was made

with an energy drink and a ripped-up subway receipt. A

remake of Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory" featuring

a peanut placed on a Brillo pad.

In other words, pretty much anything goes. People

can select images from the Getty's online photo

archive. The archive contains 2 million images from

the its massive collection of paintings, drawings,

photographs and sculptures. "Self-Portrait, Yawning"

by Joseph Ducreux and "American Gothic" by Grant

Wood are proving to be two of the most popular

sources of inspiration.

To help get people's artistic juices flowing, the Getty

has published a helpful guide. It offers tips on how to choose an artwork and orient a subject in the

best light. And, finally, how to share on social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

using the hashtags #betweenartandquarantine and #tussenkunstenquarataine. The challenge arrives

as communities around the globe grapple to hold themselves together. This pandemic is unlike

anything most people have witnessed in their lifetimes.

"The heartening part of this is not just the creations, but how generous and kind people are in the

comment [sections] by holding each other up," says Stephan. "When [the Getty] was thinking about

what we could do during this time when so many museums are closed, it seemed to us that what art

could really offer is a sense of community."

Explains Stephan: "Being at home, people are feeling isolated. So this has been a fun way to have a

community not only with friends and family. But also

with friendly strangers on the Web. It's really an attempt to build community around art for people

who love art and appreciate it, whether or not you're an artist.

Quiz

1 Select the sentence from the article that suggests that many people have responded to the Getty Museum's challenge. (A) Museums have closed their doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

(B) After days of being cooped up inside, members of the public proved more than willing to accept the challenge. (C) The Getty's challenge was inspired by a similar online event. (D) To help get people's artistic juices flowing, the Getty has published a helpful guide. 2 Which sentence from the article shows Annelisa Stephan's MAIN opinion about the submissions the Getty Museum has received? (A) "There's a really great one where a woman took an ancient Greek sculpture and recreated it to a T by posing with a canister vacuum," says Annelisa Stephan. (B) "There have been thousands of amazing ones. … Some of them are brilliant artistically, but they're all just really funny." (C) The archive contains 2 million images from the museum's massive collection of paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures. (D) "Self-Portrait, Yawning," by Joseph Ducreux and "American Gothic" by Grant Wood are proving to be two of the most popular sources of inspiration. 3 What is the MOST likely reason the author included the description of someone's remake

of "The Persistence of Memory"?

(A) to illustrate how detailed many of the at-home artists' submissions are (B) to suggest that some of the submissions have been humorous (C) to describe the difficulty of recreating paintings with household items (D) to compare the recreated version with the original 4 Which answer choice accurately characterizes Annelisa Stephan's reaction to the Getty Museum's challenge? (A) She is disappointed that more people have not chosen to recreate her favorite pieces of art. (B) She is hopeful that more people will hear about the challenge and submit their own pieces. (C) She is happy that it has given people a way to connect and support each other. (D) She is surprised at how artistically skilled many of the submissions have been.

Thursday—May 21st

How to deal with stress-eating for comfort in a time of anxiety

By Washington Post, adapted by Newsela staff on 04.01.20

.

Snacks and drinks with higher nutritional value are displayed during a news conference on school food nutrition

in Washington, D.C. Photo:

Alex Wong/Getty Images

You're mostly stuck inside, you're home from school and the coronavirus pandemic is making the

future seem less certain every day. The coronavirus is a flu-like illness that first arose in China. The

virus has now infected people around the globe. Like 27 percent of Americans, you might seek

comfort in a familiar place: the refrigerator.

Food can be one of the easiest and fastest ways to make ourselves feel better in stressful times.

Experts say enjoying our food is a good thing. However, emotionally eating lots of food with little

nutritional value can weaken our immune systems. Emotional eating can also worsen our moods.

Right now, it is especially important to stay positive and protect our bodies.

Eva Selhub is a doctor who specializes in stress, resilience and mind-body medicine. Selhub says that if

we want to feel better in the current situation, we need to think about how to fuel our bodies in ways

that alleviate stress.

Why do my eating habits matter right now?

Selhub says that people may feel guilty or shameful for eating highly processed foods with a lot of

sugar. Eating these foods can also cause inflammation in the body that increases fatigue, anxiety and

depression. Selhub added that our bodies have various ways of connecting our stomachs to our

brains. In this way, eating nutritious foods can help control our moods.

How can I tell if I'm eating because of emotion and not because of hunger?

Eating as a result of stress tends to be an automatic instinct, such as putting your hand into a bag of

potato chips without thinking about it, said Deanna Minich. Minich is a nutritionist with the American

Nutrition Association. By contrast, physical hunger lasts longer. Hunger can also be resolved with a

variety of foods, rather than just with less nutritious foods.

How can I prevent or limit emotional eating in this uncertain time?

Food makes us feel better by releasing two chemicals called dopamine and serotonin in our brains.

The release of these chemicals creates feelings of pleasure. However, Selhub says the effect wears off

quickly. To stop emotional eating, she suggested doing a gut-check before you reach for a snack. Ask

yourself, "Am I about to eat because I'm physically hungry, or because I feel stressed or sad?"

If it is because you are stressed or sad, Selhub said you should consider turning to other sources of

comfort. Breathing exercises, physical exercise, hobbies, time in nature and other activities can all

help relieve stress or sadness. Your daily routine may be different these days. However, Selhub said

that you should still try to stick to your normal eating schedule of two or three meals a day.

Selhub recommended making eating into a ritual. "Make it a ritual of nurturing — that you're

nurturing yourself, that you're fueling yourself," Selhub said.

If you want extra help for staying on track or managing your weight, Selhub suggests finding or

making an online support group.

What if anxiety has the opposite effect on me and I struggle to eat enough?

Although many people eat extra when they feel anxious, you may have trouble eating at all. Stress

can put your body into an elevated state as if you were facing an immediate danger. The feeling is

similar to how early humans may have felt when being chased by a lion, Selhub said.

To digest food properly, we need a relaxed digestive system, Minich said. Warm teas can help your

body loosen up, while protein shakes and electrolyte packets provide energy.

At the very least, Minich said you should drink a lot of water to stay hydrated. To really return to

regular eating patterns, she said it's important to address the stress that is causing your eating

patterns to change. Movement or doing a simple meditation are two ways to address stress.

What should I be trying to eat during this public-health crisis?

Making good food choices starts when you are choosing what to bring home from the grocery store,

Minich said. Buy fresh, colorful foods as much as possible, Minich said.

If buying fresh produce and meat is not possible, Minich says frozen foods are usually more nutritious

than canned food. Frozen food has not been altered much and usually, has little interaction with the

plastic it is stored in, she said. Canned food, on the other hand, touches its metal container and the

substance used to seal it. Canned food is also usually stored in liquid with a lot of salt or sugar.

Minich also suggested using spices to reduce inflammation caused by stress. She recommends eating

foods with vitamin C to strengthen your immune system. Now is a good time to share recipes with

friends and family, she said. Make sure you're also paying attention to other aspects of your health,

such as moving your body and getting enough sleep.

Ultimately, Minich said eating well improves our sense of well-being, increases our curiosity and

makes us happier.

"And I think this is the time that we need more well-being and happiness," she said.

Quiz

1 According to the article, why does Eva Selhub want people to do a gut-check? (A) to help people understand dopamine and serotonin (B) to help people avoid their emotional-eating impulses (C) to give people a way to improve their immune systems (D) to give people a sense of comfort in stressful times 2 How do spices affect people who are stressed? (A) They can cause people to feel more anxious and stressed. (B) They can help people to sleep better when they are stressed. (C) They can weaken the immune systems in stressed people. (D) They can lower the swelling that stressed people experience. 3 The author claims that stress-eating can have negative effects on people's well-being. Which selection from the article provides the MOST sufficient evidence to support the claim? A) The coronavirus is a flu-like illness that first arose in China. The virus has now infected people around the globe. Like 27 percent of Americans, you might seek comfort in a familiar place: the refrigerator.

.

B) Eva Selhub is a doctor who specializes in stress, resilience and mind-body medicine. Selhub says that if we want to feel better in the current situation, we need to think about how to fuel our bodies in ways that alleviate stress. C) Selhub says that people may feel guilty or shameful for eating highly processed foods with a lot of sugar. Eating these foods can also cause inflammation in the body that increases fatigue, anxiety and depression. D) Eating as a result of stress tends to be an automatic instinct, such as putting your hand into a bag of potato chips without thinking about it, said Deanna Minich. Minich is a nutritionist with the American Nutrition Association. 4 The author argues that making healthy choices can help reduce stress. Is there enough strong evidence to support this claim? (A) Yes; the author uses expert opinions and examples to support the claim. (B) Yes; the author uses statistics and anecdotal evidence to support the claim. (C) No; the author only explains how unhealthy choices make stress worse. (D) No; the author provides many pieces of evidence that contradict the statement

Quia

Friday—May 22nd

Name ________________________ Date ________________

Main Idea/Supporting Details

Multiple Choice: Choose the main idea of the paragraphs. Remember to make sure the main idea covers the entire paragraph, not just one sentence. 1. Farmers in Japan have a problem. There is not much land to farm, and there are many people to feed. Some farmers cut rows in the hillsides and grow crops there. This helps a little, but many kinds of food are shipped to Japan. They can choose anything they want to eat! (4 points) A) There is little land to farm in Japan; so many kinds of food are shipped to Japan. B) Growing food on the hillside in Japan is hard work. C) The Japanese like getting food from different countries.

2. Do you ever wonder how you taste things? You owe your sense of taste to your taste buds. We have nine thousand taste buds just on the tongue alone. There are also taste buds on the roof of your mouth. You even have taste buds on the back of your throat. (4 points) A) why we can taste only sweet things B) that we taste through our nose C) where taste buds are found 3. Babies use both hands. But babies use one hand more than the other. This hand may become the preferred one. How can you tell? Lay a baby on its back. Notice which side the baby faces. If the baby looks to the right most of the time, it will probably be right-handed. What does it mean if the baby faces left more often? The baby will most likely be left-handed. (4 points) A) how to tell right- from left-handed babies B) that babies use their hands for many things C) that there are more left-handed babies 4. Goldilocks had nothing to do. Her friends were busy, so she decided to take a walk in the woods alone. She noticed a house. She knew it was a stranger’s house, but she still entered. There was not anyone home; therefore, she decided to eat some food and take a nap in the stranger’s home. (4 points) A) Walking can be an adventure. B) Goldilocks didn't follow safety procedures. C) It is okay to do the wrong things as long as it isn't hurting anybody.

5. Were you born after 1985? If so, how long do you expect to live? Most people born after 1985 can expect to live more than 70 years. Of course, this is just a guess based on past records. By the way, females can expect to live about six years longer than males. That’s taken from past records too! (4 points) A) why people live to be 70 B) how long you might expect to live C) about the health of females

.

7th ELA

WEEK 6

Monday The rise of "zero-waste" restaurants By Smithsonian.com, adapted by Newsela staff on 04.22.20 Word Count 927 Level 1130L Image 1. A food spread at Rhodora, a "zero-waste" restaurant in Brooklyn, New York. Photo by: Rhodora The New York City restaurant Rhodora does not have a trash can. It doesn't need one because Rhodora simply doesn't generate anything to throw away. The restaurant doesn't allow any type of single-use plastic, and it uses a shredder to turn cardboard boxes into compost material. Corks from the tops of bottles are donated to an organization that uses them to make shoes. Rhodora, which opened last year, is one of a small but growing number of "zero-waste" restaurants around the world. These establishments aim to avoid not only food leftovers, but also any scrap of trash. "Food waste has been gathering real momentum as an issue for restaurants over the last 10 years or so," says Andrew Stephen. He runs the Sustainable Restaurant Association. Based in the United Kingdom (U.K.), the organization helps food businesses become more environmentally responsible. He said that food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, so there is strong motivation to reduce waste and help the environment. In the United States, food waste and packaging account for nearly half of the material sent to landfills. Restaurants from McDonald's to Starbucks are addressing this issue with "no straw. Mondays" and limits on single-serving plastics, but a handful of restauranteurs are trying to get rid of trash entirely. There's also an economic case to be made for waste reduction. One study shows that restaurants save $7 for every $1 invested in anti-waste methods. "There Has To Be A Change" "Everybody's realizing there has to be a change," says David Johannes Suchy. He is a co-owner of Frea, a year-old, zero-waste vegan restaurant in Berlin, Germany. At Frea, guests dine on handmade gnocchi with salsify, a root veggie sometimes called "vegetable oyster" because it tastes a bit like oysters. Tables at Frea are made from reclaimed oak beams. The lampshades above the bar are made from mycelium, the threadlike part of a fungi. In the back is "Gersi," the restaurant's affectionate nickname for its composting machine. Any leftover bits of food can be turned into compost within 24 hours, which is then delivered back to supplier farms. Avoiding food waste is the first and perhaps most obvious challenge for zero-waste restaurants. Doug McMaster, chef at Silo in London, England, only serves a set menu. This eliminates the worry that one particular item won't sell well, and will spoil in the refrigerator. Composters are a necessity as well. Like Frea, Nolla (meaning "zero" in Finnish) in Helsinki, Finland gives compost to its suppliers, as well as its diners. Nolla also has food-tracking software more commonly used among corporate food service companies to keep track of what sells and what rots. A Showcase For Sustainable Design The décor at this new breed of zero-waste establishment is a showcase for sustainable design, created from materials that will not harm the environment. At Silo, plates are made from recycled plastic bags and tables from packaging waste. Wall light fixtures are made from crushed bottles while a ceiling fixture is crafted from dried seaweed. At Frea, an enormous piece of wall art is made from melted

.

plastic collected during the restaurant's construction. At Nolla, gift cards are made with biodegradable poppyseed paper. Recipients can plant them in their gardens after use. Delivery packaging is historically the weak link for establishments attempting zero waste. Since major food suppliers generally ship their goods in disposable materials, zero-waste restaurants work with smaller, more local suppliers. At Rhodora, bread is delivered by bike in a bin from a local bakery, and cheese is wrapped in beeswax paper. At Silo, all food is delivered in reusable crates, bags and buckets. Nolla supplies its small farmers and producers with reusable containers. At Frea, oil is brought in buckets. And extra oil is used for making flavored cooking oils to sell. Back, for a moment, to the Rhodora's lack of trash can. No matter how scrupulously you avoid waste, there are some things that are both unavoidable and hard to recycle. While reusable products are growing in popularity, restaurants obviously cannot force their customers to use them. Rhodora has a collection bin from Terracycle, a company that claims "nearly everything we touch can be recycled," in the bathroom for this issue. Sometimes restaurants call themselves zero-waste, but they might just be using the label. Stephen offers some pointers on what to look for to make sure a restaurant is truly committed to sustainability. "Nose To Tail, Root To Fruit" "Check the menu for dishes that highlight use of the whole ingredient — whether that's nose to tail, root to fruit," he says. A menu full of pickled items is also a sign of a chef "committed to extracting maximum value" from ingredients, he says. So is a menu with little — or no — meat and dairy. Silo's current menu features only one meat dish, while Nolla's menu is equal parts vegan, seafood and meat. Rhodora serves no meat and focuses on small fish. Small fish are much more sustainable than larger ones because they grow quickly and don't need to be farmed. Frea, of course, is completely meat-, fish- and dairy-free. "We think that the survival of the human race is not based on animal products," Suchy says. Imagine if our survival depended on Frea's menu — handmade bread, herby stuffed pasta with saffron sauce, fluffy chocolate pudding with pickled apples. We think we'd be just fine. This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. Quiz 1 Which of the following details is MOST important to the development of the central idea? (A) Rhodora, which opened last year, is one of a small but growing number of "zero-waste" restaurants around the world. (B) One study shows that restaurants save $7 for every $1 invested in anti-waste methods. (C) Any leftover bits of food can be turned into compost within 24 hours, which is then delivered back to supplier farms. (D) Delivery packaging is historically the weak link for establishments attempting zero waste. 2 Which of these statements would be MOST important to include in an objective summary of the article? (A) Zero-waste restaurants use economical and environmentally friendly practices, but some restaurants claim the zero-waste label without actually committing to sustainability. (B) Zero-waste restaurants reduce food waste by using whole ingredients or focusing on vegetable dishes rather than meat dishes. (C) Zero-waste restaurants help combat climate change and pollution by eliminating food waste and disposable packaging, which make up nearly half of the material sent to U.S. landfills. (D) Zero-waste restaurants often work exclusively with small-scale, local ingredient providers to avoid disposable food packaging. 3 Read the following paragraph from the section "There Has To Be A Change." Avoiding food waste is the first and perhaps most obvious challenge for zero-waste restaurants. Doug McMaster, chef at Silo in London, England, only serves a set menu. This eliminates the worry that one

particular item won't sell well, and will spoil in the refrigerator. Composters are a necessity as well. Like Frea, Nolla (meaning "zero" in Finnish) in Helsinki, Finland, gives compost to its suppliers, as well as its diners. Nolla also has food-tracking software more commonly used among corporate food service companies to keep track of what sells and what rots. What is the MAIN reason the author includes this paragraph in the article? (A) to describe how Silo, a zero-waste restaurant in London, reduced the amount of food that goes to waste (B) to illustrate techniques for addressing one of the greatest challenges facing zero-waste restaurants (C) to describe one way that corporate food service companies and zero-waste restaurants are similar (D) to illustrate the importance of an on-site composter for restaurants trying to achieve zero food waste 4 Read the section "Nose To Tail, Root To Fruit." What is the MOST likely reason for including information about zero-waste restaurants' menus? (A) to suggest that zero-waste restaurants could help contribute to larger changes in the food system (B) to illustrate that many zero-waste restaurants happen to be vegetarian or vegan (C) to describe some of the most common types of dishes featured in zero-waste restaurants (D) to compare the quality of the food served at zero-waste restaurants and traditional restaurants

.

Tuesday Name _____________________________ Date_________________________

Vocabulary Matching - Using the picture above, see if you can determine what is the definition

of the word and the prefixes in the table below. Write the definition in the space provided.

1. recycle

2. extracting

3. reusable

4. popularity

5. construction

6. enormous

7. establishment

8. re-

9. ex-

10. con-

ex- out, away from enormous the process of making new products from materials that were used in another product

huge with, together

removing the quality of being widely admired or accepted or sought after

extracting

recycle con popularity

Wednesday - CCSS.7.L.7.1.a |© http://www.EnglishWorksheetsLand.com

Name Appositives

Get Under It!

An appositive is a noun phrase that restates the noun. An appositive can add additional information, or

clarify which noun is intended. An appositive is usually set off with commas. In each of the examples

below, the appositive is underlined.

EXAMPLES: My friend Bill is a good cook.

The vine, an aggressive climber, has quite taken over the side of the house.

DIRECTIONS: Underline the appositive in each sentence below.

1. That book, a heavy tome, has been read a lot lately.

2. My sister Jill asked us for directions.

3. The meal, an atrocity that my mother cooked, was inedible.

4. That restaurant, the place that serves chili, is a landmark

5. The hotel, a five‐star favorite among guests, is expensive.

6. My necklace, a string of pearls, is very precious to me.

7. That woman, the blonde, was very rude.

8. I love that magazine, the sports almanac.

9. Did you hear the song, Tainted Love, that we all like?

10. The package, a brown box, came in the mail.

11. Jack, that obnoxious boy, annoys all of us.

12. Kyle, the redhead, is our neighbor.

.

Thursday

Assignments

The Rise of "Zero-waste" Restaurants

Choose a problem (and solutions) described in the text. Explain what the problem is and why it matters,

using examples, facts, and details from the text. If possible, describe any solutions proposed in the text.

Make sure to put your solutions in your body paragraphs. Remember to include an introduction and

conclusion. Write on this paper or on notebook paper.

Friday

Appositives 10 Questions 1. What is the appositive(s)? The female kingfisher, a large-headed bird that lives near the water, is known for its bright plumage.

a)female kingfisher b)bright plumage c)large-headed bird d)a large-headed bird that lives near the water

2. What is the appositive(s)?

Roald Dahl, a famous children's author, wrote many of his books in pencil on yellow legal pads.

a)Roald Dahl b)a famous children's author c)wrote many of his books d)yellow legal pads

3. What is the appositive(s)?

Yesterday, Simon and I ate at Tasty's, a small deli near our house.

a)a small deli b)a small deli near our house c)Tasty's d)Simon and I ate at Tasty's

4. What is the appositive(s)?

I lost my silver necklace, a present from my mother, at the Carnival.

a)I lost my silver necklace b)a present from my mother c)at the Carnival d)I lost my silver

5. What is the appositive(s)?

Mr. Riley, our neighbor, is moving to a different city.

a)Mr. Riley b)moving to a different city c)Mr. Riley, our neighbor d)our neighbor

6. What is the appositive(s)?

The car, a silver Honda, had two flat tires.

a)The car b)had two flat tires c)The car d)a silver Honda

.

7. What is the appositive(s)? Two of my friends, John and Steve, made it on the soccer team, Barcelona.

a)John and Steve b)Two of my friends c)John and Steve; Barcelona d)Barcelona

8. What is the appositive(s)? I ate a huge bowl of my favorite ice cream, Blue Bell peppermint, last night.

a)I ate a huge bowl b)of my favorite ice cream c)last night d)Blue Bell peppermint

9. What is the appositive(s)? Our teacher, Ms. McKinnon, was absent from school all week.

a)Our teacher b)Ms. McKinnon c)was absent d)from school all week

10. What is the appositive(s)? Heidi, my cousin, will be traveling to Disney World next week.

a)Heidi b)will be traveling c)to Disney World d)my cousin

7th SCIENCE

WEEK 6

.

Monday, May 18, 2020

What makes a biome? By National Geographic Society, adapted by Newsela staff on 04.20.20 Word Count 770 Level

1020L

The community of plants and animals that live in a

certain climate is called a biome. The plants and

animals of the Amazon rainforest are completely

different from those in the Arctic tundra. But all

scientists do not agree on what exactly constitutes a

biome.

Biomes are sometimes confused with habitats and

ecosystems. A habitat is specific to the area a

population or species lives in, while ecosystems

describe the way biota interact with an environment.

This can include the way nutrients flow between

plants and animals. Biomes can include many habitats and ecosystems because they describe

life on a much larger scale.

Defining Biomes

Frederic E. Clements was an ecologist who studied the relationship between living things and

their surroundings. He first used the term biome in 1916. Later, he worked with another

ecologist, named Victor Shelford, to expand the definition of biome. By 1963, Shelford defined

the tundra, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, grassland and desert as different biomes.

We can recognize and define biomes by the organisms that live there and by the climate of the

area. The organisms within a biome have adapted for that particular environment. This makes it

easier and safer for organisms to live in that environment. Climate is a major factor in

determining types of plant and animal life that live in a particular biome. Several factors

influence climate, such as latitude, geographic features and how atmospheric conditions affect

heat and moisture in that place.

Not all scientists agree about the number of defined biomes. Most agree that climate and the

organisms that live there are important. The main types of biomes that come out of the

different definitions are tundra, desert, grassland, coniferous forest, deciduous forest, tropical

rainforest and aquatic biomes.

Tundra Biomes

The tundra is located at the northernmost parts of the globe and is defined by long, cold

winters and cool summers. The animals and plants that live in these areas have evolved to have

thick fur and the ability to hibernate. This allows them to survive in the cold environment.

Desert Biomes

Deserts are defined by dryness, and can be located in both cold and warm climates. Life in

these areas is adapted to a lack of water and nutrients.

Grassland Biomes

The grassland biome can be found on every continent except Antarctica. It is flat and grassy,

with very little tree cover. Large mammals that graze, such as elephants or bison, inhabit these

areas, along with small mammals, birds and predators.

Coniferous Forest Biomes

Coniferous forests are also known as taigas or boreal forests. These areas experience long, cold

winters, short summers and heavy precipitation, such as rain, sleet or snow. The main types of

vegetation are conifers and evergreen trees. Sometimes this category is split into another

category known as the temperate forest, with temperatures that are not as cold. One example

of this warmer forest is the North American west coast, a humid forest system with redwoods

and cedars.

The deciduous forest biome is marked by broad-leafed trees, such as maple and oak. They lose

their leaves seasonally as the temperatures begin to drop. These biomes are located in eastern

North America, western Europe and northeastern Asia. These temperate regions have mild

temperatures, but still have a distinct winter season.

Tropical Rainforest Biomes

Tropical rainforests in equatorial regions are warm and wet with a great variety of trees. The

uppermost trees and branches in these forests form a kind of roof called a canopy. Leaf litter on

the ground and the humid conditions create a layer of nutrients above the low-quality soil. This

allows for biodiversity of plants, animals and other organisms.

Aquatic Biomes

There are many ways to classify aquatic biomes. Often freshwater and saltwater biomes are

defined separately based on depth, temperature and salinity. Terrestrial, or land, biomes are

classified by vegetation types. But it's hard to define aquatic environments this way because

they do not have much visible plant life.

Biomes are often thought of as separate regions, but they are not isolated from one another.

Biomes do not typically have exact boundaries. There are transition zones between biomes,

called ecotones. Some are natural while others are created by humans. Many biome definitions

exclude humans. However, some scientists believe that human presence is an important part in

defining biomes. They think that most biomes are primarily influenced by humans. Scientists

recognize that human activities such as habitat destruction will change how biomes are defined

in the future.

Quiz

1 Which statement would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article?

(A) Desert biomes are dry and can be located in both cold and warm climates.

(B) Many things influence climate, like how atmospheric conditions affect heat and moisture.

(C) It is hard to clearly define what a biome is.

(D) Ecotones are the areas between biomes.

2 Which two of the following sentences from the article include central ideas of the article?

.

1. The community of plants and animals that live in a certain climate is called a biome. 2.

Biomes are sometimes confused with habitats and ecosystems. 3. The main types of biomes

that come out of the different definitions are tundra, desert, grassland, coniferous forest,

deciduous forest, tropical rainforest and aquatic biomes. 4. But it's hard to define aquatic

environments this way because they do not have much visible plant life.

(A) 1 and 2

(B) 1 and 3

(C) 2 and 4

(D) 3 and 4

3 The author includes information about the definition of a biome first. Why does the author

choose to provide information about examples of biomes next?

(A) because the definition of a biome isn't helpful to the reader without detailed examples

(B) because the definition of biomes doesn't work for all biomes, so the reader needs lots of

examples

(C) because once the reader knows the definition it is easier to then understand specific

examples

(D) because the reader can only appreciate how the definition is complicated with many

examples after it

4 What is one reason why the author includes information about human activity?

(A) because human activity affects biomes

(B) because human activity is bad for biomes

(C) because humans are part of the definition of a biome

(D) because humans are actively destroying biomes

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Life and Purpose: A Biologist Reflects on the Qualities that

Define Life By Ursula Goodenough, Big History Project, adapted by Newsela staff on 07.31.16 Level 980L

Photosynthesis is the turning of the Sun’s light energy into food.

Then molecules that are made as a consequence of

photosynthesis can be ingested — that is, eaten — and then

broken down, using the energy released to drive self-generation.

What is the difference between nonlife and life? To

answer this question, we first need to define life. Below

are the key features of life. Our answer will flow from

understanding these features. A key concept is that

every organism is a self, a being. It takes two fundamental activities to be a self: self-generation

and self-maintenance.

Self-generation

Self-generation means the making of a self. If you’re a single-celled organism like a yeast, this

involves starting out small, growing large, and dividing into two small daughter-yeasts that start

the process again. If you’re a multicelled organism like a human, this involves starting out as a

single fertilized egg, developing from an embryo to a fetus, and then taking the path from

newborn to old age.

For all organisms on our planet today, proteins are very important for self-generation. When a

protein is made, it folds up into a particular shape, with crevices and bumps — something like a

3- D jigsaw-puzzle piece. These shapes allow proteins to do two major activities.

The first is to interact with other proteins. Bumps from one protein fit into the crevices of

others. They combine to form the thousands of different kinds of chemical structures that make

up a cell. Most parts of a cell are made from proteins. This includes the filaments that act as cell

skeletons, the channels that let ions in and out of cells, and the receptors that let the cell know

what’s going on in the environment. The second activity of proteins is to serve as enzymes.

Enzymes allow chemical reactions inside the cell to happen with remarkable efficiency and

accuracy. Here, the shape of proteins is important. The bumps and crevices bring together the

proteins in a chemical reaction and ensure that they form the right kind of chemical bonds with

each other.

Self-maintenance

The self must get the molecules and energy that it needs for self-generation. One strategy is to

use photosynthesis, turning the Sun’s light energy into food. The second is to ingest molecules

that are made using photosynthesis — to eat — and then break them down, using the energy

released for self-generation.

Here again, the shapes of enzymes are critical. Instead of controlling the formation of chemical

bonds as in self-generation, they supervise the breaking of chemical bonds and form energy-

rich molecules to keep the cell going. Self-maintenance also involves self-protection: avoiding

environmental hazards, predators, and disease.

Every organism is instructed

All the proteins we’ve been thinking about are encoded in genes. The genes are embedded in

DNA molecules. Each gene specifies the amino-acid sequence of a particular protein. That

sequence defines how the protein will fold up into its functional shape.

The full set of genes necessary to pull together a self-generating and self-maintaining self is

called a “genome.” A yeast genome and a human genome have many genes in common,

notably those concerned with self-maintenance. They also have many others that are

distinctive. Daughter organisms inherit copies of genomes from parent organisms, allowing that

kind of organism to continue and spread. A genome has the ability to express certain genes,

and certain proteins, on some occasions and not others.

When it’s time to copy DNA into daughter molecules, the genes controlling the DNA-copying

enzymes are “switched on.” When the copying process is finished, these genes are “switched

off.”

.

When it’s time for you to make red blood cells, genes controlling the hemoglobin protein are

switched on in certain bone-marrow cells, but they remain switched off in most of the cells in

your body. Thus, a genome isn’t just a collection of genes. It functions continuously to instruct

self- generation and self-maintenance.

Every organism can evolve

DNA is copied with remarkable accuracy, but mistakes sometimes happen. These mistakes

produce mutant genes that make proteins with different shapes.

The mutation may have no effect, at least in the short term, in which case the mutant daughter

may self-organize and self-maintain just like the parent. At the other extreme, it may have

disastrous consequences on self-organization and self-maintenance, and the daughter will not

survive. The most interesting mutations are those that generate instructions for a daughter that

is somewhat different from its parent.

For example, a parent duck might have delicate foot webbing while the webbing of a mutant

daughter might be extra-thick. What happens next depends on the environmental setting. If the

ducks hang out on mudflats, the mutant feet might allow for surer footing and better

opportunities for feeding and fleeing predators. The thick-footed trait will likely spread into

future generations. If the ducks live in grasslands, the mutant feet might slow things down and

the trait will be less likely to spread.

What I’ve just described is Darwinian evolution: inherited variations, coupled with natural

selection. The ability of living organisms to evolve has generated the spectacular biodiversity

that surrounds us, and without it, we humans would never have shown up.

Every organism has purpose

So, now we have a sense of what life is. Can we come up with a single characteristic that

distinguishes life from nonlife? Is there one towering difference between a mountain and a

whale? After all, both are made of molecules. Both engage in chemistry. Both change over time.

For me, the most interesting single generalization is that organisms have purpose where nonlife

does not. Organisms are about something, for something: muscles are for movement; eyes are

for seeing. Organisms have goals. The short-term goal is to self-generate and self-maintain in a

given environment. The long-term goal is to pass genome copies on to offspring. This goal only

succeeds if self-generation and self-maintenance succeed. Mountains are splendid, to be sure,

but in the end they aren’t goal directed. They just are.

If we take this view, we can say that when life showed up on Earth, something completely new

showed up: the emergence of purpose. Whether life, and purpose, exist anywhere else in the

Universe is unknown and may remain a mystery. Meanwhile, we can enjoy and appreciate the

astonishing purpose that surrounds us here on Earth.

Quiz

1 Which sentence from the section “Every organism is instructed” BEST summarizes the role of

the genome?

(A) The full set of genes necessary to pull together a self-generating and self-maintaining self is

called a “genome.”

(B) A genome has the ability to express certain genes, and certain proteins, on some occasions

and not others.

(C) When it’s time to copy DNA into daughter molecules, the genes controlling the DNA-copying

enzymes are “switched on.”

(D) It functions continuously to instruct self-generation and self-maintenance.

2 Which sentence from the article BEST explains why a protein is made with crevices and

bumps?

(A) These shapes allow proteins to do two major activities.

(B) They combine to form the thousands of different kinds of chemical structures that make up

a cell.

(C) That sequence defines how the protein will fold up into its functional shape.

(D) These mistakes produce mutant genes that make proteins with different shapes.

3 Which selection from the section “Every organism can evolve” BEST shows the role of

mutation in how organisms evolve?

(A) DNA is copied with remarkable accuracy, but mistakes sometimes happen. These mistakes

produce mutant genes that make proteins with different shapes.

(B) At the other extreme, it may have disastrous consequences on self-organization and self-

maintenance, and the daughter will not survive.

(C) The most interesting mutations are those that generate instructions for a daughter that is

somewhat different from its parent.

(D) If the ducks live in grasslands, the mutant feet might slow things down and the trait will be

less likely to spread.

4 Which of the following is a MAIN idea of the article?

(A) Proteins are very important to the self-generation of organisms.

(B) The purpose of every organism is to self-generate and self-maintain.

(C) Passing mutations from one generation to the next is vital to the evolution of an organism.

(D) In an organism, the genome contains instructions for self-generation and self-maintenance.

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

People and invasive species

By National Geographic Society, adapted by Newsela staff on 03.12.20 Word Count 757 Level

950L

Burmese Pythons, which were originally escaped or released pets, have become a problem in

Everglades National Park in Florida. Photo by: John Serrao/Science Source John Serrao/Science

Source

.

Invasive species can damage native habitats, spread diseases, cause extinctions and require a

lot of cleanup. But what exactly are they?

An invasive species is any living organism that is not native to a particular area. It can cause

economic harm or environmental harm to an ecosystem, or it can be damaging to human

health.

Invasive species can quickly crowd out native species and take over resources such as food and

water. They often lack predators, competitors or parasites in their new home. This means that

the populations of invasive species can grow quickly without natural enemies to keep them in

check. In many cases, native species have not evolved natural defenses against the new

invader. This makes them easy prey.

But not all introduced species are invasive. In fact, they can sometimes have benefits. For

example, common foods such as potatoes and tomatoes come from plants that were

introduced to the rest of This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

the world from the Americas. An organism is only considered to be invasive if it causes harm.

Human Influence

Invasive species are almost always spread by human activity. The increase in tourism and trade

has meant people and goods can move all over the planet. They often take invasive species

with them, either accidentally or intentionally.

Early explorers introduced many invasive species, such as dogs, cats, pigs and rats. Norway rats,

also called brown rats, were originally from China. They spread throughout the Pacific islands

during the 1700s by stowing away on ships. Norway rats damage ecosystems by eating native

species and spreading deadly diseases. Invasive feral pigs live on the islands of Hawaii. Early

Polynesian settlers might have brought them. Feral pigs dig up vegetation, spread invasive

plants and contribute to soil erosion.

In some cases, government officials have encouraged the introduction of invasive species. The

Asian plant kudzu was introduced to North America during the 1876 World's Fair in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In the 1930s, the government encouraged people in the southern

United States to plant the fast-growing vine. They hoped this would prevent soil erosion. But

the kudzu quickly grew out of control, earning it the name "the vine that ate the South."

Other times, invasive species were introduced to control pests. For example, the cane toad is

native to South and Central America. It was introduced to Australia in the 1930s to eat pests in

sugar cane plantations. Unfortunately, the plan backfired, and the cane toads became a pest

themselves. The oversized toad is famously toxic and can be deadly to predators who try to eat

it.

Invasive Species Are Making Themselves At Home

Today, we have a better understanding of what happens when we move plants and animals

outside of their natural habitats. We now try to prevent spreading organisms beyond their

ecosystems. Nonetheless, we continue to spread invasive species around the globe through

trade and travel.

For example, the brown tree snake, native to Australia and Indonesia, has caused the extinction

of some birds in Guam. It has also caused widespread power outages by climbing electrical

lines. It is thought to have arrived in the 1950s on military aircraft and in cargo.

Meanwhile, in the Florida Everglades, Burmese pythons are causing trouble. These snakes make

popular pets but grow to be incredibly large. Owners released them into the wild, in places like

the Everglades, to get rid of them. The Burmese python has no natural predators in Florida, so

its population is thriving. They even interbreed with local snakes to form a super-resilient

hybrid.

Similarly, species of lionfish, native to the South Pacific and Indian oceans, have quickly spread

throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Lionfish prey on native

fish species. They cause economic damage to fisheries and put coral reef ecosystems at risk.

What Can Be Done?

Preventing invasive species is the best strategy for controlling them. Most countries have strict

rules about what can and cannot be brought across their borders. Education is also important.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

There are also other approaches to managing current invasive species. Some invasive plants can

be turned into paper. Invasive fish such as lionfish can be eaten as a delicacy (complete with the

catchy slogan "if you can't beat 'em, eat 'em").

Whether by accident or design, the problem of invasive species has been caused by humans.

But we can also be part of the solution. So next time you are in Florida, why not try a lionfish

fillet? And whatever you do, do not release your pet Burmese python into the wild.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com.

Quiz

1 Which sentence from the article would be MOST important to include in a summary of the

article?

(A) Invasive species can damage native habitats, spread diseases, cause extinctions and require

a lot of cleanup.

(B) In some cases, government officials have encouraged the introduction of invasive species.

(C) Meanwhile, in the Florida Everglades, Burmese pythons are causing trouble.

(D) Some invasive plants can be turned into paper.

2 Which statement is a CENTRAL idea of the article?

(A) Cane toads are native to South America even thought they are also found in Australia.

(B) Eating some invasive species is a good way to control them.

(C) Human activity is the main cause of the spread of invasive species.

(D) Invasive feral pigs are a problem in Hawaii.

.

3 Read the following selection.

In the 1930s, the government encouraged people in the southern United States to plant the

fast- growing vine. They hoped this would prevent soil erosion. But the kudzu quickly grew out

of control, earning it the name "the vine that ate the South."

Why did the author include this event?

(A) to show that invasive species are spread through human activity, even if the intentions for

spreading them are good

(B) to show that the government made a poor decision when it introduced the kudzu plant in

the South

(C) to highlight the importance of learning as much as possible about an invasive species before

introducing it

(D) to highlight how soil erosion is a major environmental problem in the South

4 What does the author do to build understanding of invasive species?

(A) The author explains why countries need to have strict laws about what organisms can enter

and exit their borders.

(B) The author explains the science behind why some species cause harm to the local

environment while others do not.

(C) The author offers several detailed examples of invasive species and their effects on the

environment.

(D) The author offers several detailed examples of how to stop the spread of invasive species.

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Humanity will find ways to adapt to climate change

By The Economist, adapted

by Newsela staff on

03.01.20

Image 1. A movable system, the

Thames Barrier on the Thames

River in London, England, was

made to stop the surrounding

areas from being flooded because

of high water levels. Photo: Andy

Roberts/Wikimedia Commons

Editor's Note: The opinions in this

essay are those of the writer and

do not necessarily represent the views of Newsela or its editors. Political language, word choice and position

belong to the author alone.

Last year, Hurricane Dorian tore through the Bahamas, devastating the islands. Such destructive

storms are becoming more common due to climate change. After these storms, the people

affected must make important decisions. Should they put money into developing better

drainage, rebuild with stronger design and materials, or should they just move? The weather

will certainly get worse in the future, bringing higher seas, fiercer storms and more rain. People

will have to adapt in order to reduce the human and economic costs of the changing climate.

However, large-scale adaptations will cost money, which may further complicate the complex

politics surrounding the issue.

Overcoming Political Difficulties

Efforts to slow global warming must overcome political difficulties. Tackling climate change will

be expensive and bothersome, and the benefits of reduced warming may take centuries to

become apparent. The term "mitigation" refers to efforts to curb emissions. Mitigation is

hampered by a serious collective-action problem. This means that individual impacts on the

environment seem less significant than the impact of the larger group. Individuals might feel

that their own actions do not matter much. Some people think they don't have to make

sacrifices because other people are already doing so. For example, a person may decide that

driving to work is okay because other people are taking public transportation. Cutting emissions

requires every large country asking its voters to deal with expense and inconvenience that will

mostly help people elsewhere, or not yet born.

Adaptation, by contrast, can pay off even when a person acts alone, out of pure self-interest.

Homeowners invest in energy-efficient thermostats in order to benefit from lower utility bills.

There are no political problems to untangle. Government actions are only slightly more

complicated because they require political agreement to spend public money on environmental

projects. However, the people paying for these improvements are often the ones who are

benefiting. In addition, fewer governments and agencies are required to cooperate.

Adaptation Likely To Play Large Role

All this means that adaptation is likely to play a large role in humanity's response to climate

change. Indeed, the price of agricultural land already accounts for the expected impact of

climate change. Consumers already react to extreme weather events, as evidenced by the fact

that purchases of air-conditioners rise after heat waves. Some individuals may adapt by

choosing to take a job in a place with less extreme weather. A few cities are making more

obvious adaptations. New York City plans to construct a series of raised flood-control berms

around the southern end of Manhattan.

As demand rises for ways to ease the pain of climate change, supply will respond. A growing

market for goods will force producers to come up with new products. Companies that are

taking big steps to be environmentally friendly are betting that governments will eventually get

serious about emissions. The market for better means of coping with climate change is already

growing daily.

Experts predict that the effects of climate change will be much more serious if people do not

adapt. One study estimated that floods will reduce global gross domestic product (GDP) in 2200

by 4.5 percent. Global GDP is basically the combined amount of money from all the goods

produced and sold, including everyone's salaries, of all the countries in the world in a year.

.

Investments and Migration

However, if people adapt through investments and migration, the loss drops to just 0.11

percent. The Global Commission on Adaptation is a group of 20 richer and still-developing

countries. The commission has listed $1.8 trillion worth of investments that could enable

adaptation. The largest one is spending on making infrastructure (roads, ports, electricity,

sanitation, sewer and communications systems) climate-proof. Other investments include

improving irrigation of farmland in dry areas and protecting water resources. If these

investments are made soon, they would result in estimated benefits of $7.1 trillion.

Still, adaptation is not without its drawbacks. Investments in adaptation that blunt the effects

of climate change could reduce the appetite for spending on mitigation. Laws to reduce carbon

emissions will mean significant cost and inconvenience for nearly everyone. People will likely

resent these laws unless they can see how they are helping combat obvious dangers in the

future. Investments in adaptation will reduce the likelihood or severity of those dangers. At the

same time, however, they may undercut the case for accepting the hardship of

decarbonization. The longer governments fail to stop warming, the more people and companies

will spend to safeguard themselves. This will mean they are less troubled by governments'

failures to decarbonize.

However, even if some people can adapt to a warmer world, it is still a big problem. If

unchecked, global warming could result in devastating scenarios that outstrip any capacity to

adapt. Moreover, the ability to adapt varies dramatically from place to place. North America

and mainland Europe both have relatively steady climates. Rich people in these areas have

money to spend on adaptation. They can move from the worst-hit spots with relative ease.

Poor people have little spare cash, mostly live in hotter places and face far more hardships

when they try to migrate.

Benefits of Mitigation

One of the benefits of mitigation is that the steps rich countries take to help themselves also

help poorer ones. These poorer nations are both less responsible for global warming and more

likely to feel its effects. Richer countries must realize having the money to shield themselves

from the effects of global warming doesn't mean they shouldn't help poor countries. In fact,

they should help more.

Quiz

1 Which two of the following sentences from the article include central ideas of the

article?

1 Some people think they don't have to make sacrifices because other people are

already doing so. 2 All this means that adaptation is likely to play a large role in humanity's

response to climate change. 3 Investments in adaptation that blunt the effects of climate

change could reduce the appetite for spending on mitigation.

2. Poor people have little spare cash, mostly live in hotter places and face far more hardships when they try to migrate. (A) 1 and 2

(B) 1 and 4 (C) 2 and 3 (D) 3 and 4

3. Which statement would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article?

(A) Adaptation efforts will help reduce some of the more immediate effects of

climate change, while mitigation will reduce its impact over the long term.

(B) Governmental efforts toward climate change mitigation face serious challenges,

because mitigation will affect future generations rather than those shouldering its burdens

today.

(C) Many industries are already responding to increased demands for adaptive

climate change technologies by providing more energy-efficient vehicles and appliances.

(D) If humanity does not invest heavily in technologies to adapt to climate change,

there could be catastrophic consequences for global populations and the economy.

4. What is the author's purpose for writing this article?

(A) to convince the reader that adaptation technology is useful only in a limited

sense, and that mitigation efforts are humanity's only hope for dealing with climate change

(B) to illustrate the essential contradiction between collective action and individual

self-interest when it comes to questions of how to mitigate the effects of climate change

(C) to compare the relative strengths, features, costs and drawbacks of adaptation

and mitigation, two competing ideas about how to address climate change

(D) to explain the two main approaches to addressing climate change and to

convince the read that wealthy nations must contribute more toward global mitigation in

addition to local adaptation

5 Read the following claim. Governments should provide incentives for their citizens to

install more environmentally friendly appliances in their homes to help mitigate climate change.

How would the author MOST likely respond to this claim?

(A) Such limited efforts at mitigation produce marginal returns at best and would

likely not be worth the investment.

(B) The greatest burden of climate change mitigation should fall on the industries

that are responsible for the majority of the fossil fuels burned.

(C) While such incentives would be helpful, governments should first prioritize

climate-proofing their infrastructure.

(D) The climate is changing so rapidly that small, personal efforts toward mitigation

are unlikely to produce any meaningful slowdown in its progress.

.

Friday, May 22, 2020

Will coronavirus reduce carbon pollution? By The Guardian, adapted by Newsela staff on 04.02.20

Image 1. An aerial view of a

main road during the first

day of national quarantine

to stop the spread of the

new coronavirus on March

25, 2020, in Bogota,

Colombia. With factories,

airports and entire cities

shutting down, analysts say

it is possible that this will

lead to the first fall in global

emissions since 2008.

Photo: Daniel

Munoz/VIEWpress/Getty

Images

The coronavirus outbreak has caused alarm around the world. To slow the spread of the virus, many countries have ordered factories and businesses to temporarily close. They've also told citizens to stay at home. This decrease in productivity has resulted in a worldwide decrease in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. When people burn fossil fuels such as coal and oil, they release gases such as carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The gases trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, or an overall increase in temperatures around the world. Environmental activists say that the virus has demonstrated how leaders can take emergency actions to protect their citizens. These activists believe that officials should act with this same urgency when it comes to the environment.

The First Fall In 10 Years

The coronavirus first appeared in China, the country that is also the world's largest carbon dioxide emitter. The government shut down many factories because of the virus. While this means that the country is producing fewer goods and making less money, it has also resulted in less pollution released into the air. On the advice of health authorities, millions of people around the world are avoiding going to school, the office or traveling. The cancellations of conferences and large gatherings around the world mean that airplanes are releasing thousands of tons less carbon dioxide. Global air traffic decreased by 4.3 percent in February. If this trend continues, experts say it might lead to the first drop in global emissions in more than 10 years. Even a slight decrease in carbon dioxide emissions could help climate action.

Rob Jackson is the chair of the environmentalist group Global Carbon Project. He said this trend would only be meaningful if it led to behavioral change in the long term. "If this could change the way we travel, it could lead to more virtual meetings," he said. Otherwise, "I see no silver lining to the coronavirus," as it won't result in meaningful change in the long term, he said.

The Crisis May Slow But Not Reverse Emissions

Scientists estimate that so far, the virus has stopped China from releasing about 200 megatons of carbon dioxide. A megaton is 1 million tons. However, these gains could be short-lived if factories later reopen and crank up production to make up for lost business. Experts say it is too early to know if the coronavirus will push global carbon emissions into a decline. It is hard to predict the likelihood of keeping global temperatures down. It depends on how far the outbreak spreads, and whether the economic effects are prolonged. Corinne Le Quéré is a professor of climate science at the University of East Anglia in England. She said that so far the crisis is only likely to slow carbon emissions, not reverse them. Over the past 10 years, emissions have grown about 1 percent each year, meaning that "you would need a really big reduction to see a fall this year." It's possible, she said, "but I don't think we can say at this stage."

A Slowdown Could Help Activists

A slowdown in emissions would gain time for activists, noted Le Quéré. It would allow for advances in technology and more time to put public pressure on governments to change their plans. The response to the coronavirus also shows that taking action can make a difference. American author and environmentalist Bill McKibben wrote that no environmentalist should welcome a crisis, but they could learn from it. Economic disruption is not a good way to deal with global warming in the long term, he says. However, McKibben is satisfied with the demonstration that people can change. He noted that millions of people seem to have learned new patterns, and companies are allowing employees to work from home. With the opportunity to work from home, he explained, we can benefit from using less gasoline and needing less room for offices.

Quiz 1 Which sentence from the section "The First Drop In 10 Years" BEST explains WHY

pollution has decreased? (A) The coronavirus first appeared in China, the country that is also the world's largest carbon dioxide emitter. (B) On the advice of health authorities, millions of people around the world are avoiding school journeys, shopping runs and office commutes. (C) If this trend continues, experts say it might lead to the first drop in global emissions in more than 10 years. (D) Otherwise, "I see no silver lining to the coronavirus," as it won't result in meaningful change in the long term, he said.

.

2 Which section from the article BEST explains why carbon dioxide emissions lead to climate change? (A) introduction [paragraphs 1-3] (B) "The First Drop In 10 Years" (C) "The Crisis May Slow But Not Reverse Emissions" (D) "A Slowdown Could Help Activists" 3 Which statement would be MOST important to include in a summary of the article? (A) Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. (B) Environmental activists think that governments should protect people from climate change. (C) Reactions to the coronavirus outbreak have led to a temporary decrease in pollution. (D) The first case of the coronavirus was detected in China, but people are not sure what caused it.

7th

SOCIAL STUDIES

WEEK 6

.

Week 6 – May 18-22, 2020

7th Grade Social Studies

1. Day 1- May 18, 2020- Read the article: “Southern

Asia Trade” and you will complete the Trade Barrier

Worksheet.

2. Day 2 – May 19, 2020- Read the article: “The Southern Asia Economic System”. Assignment: You will match the Phrases in the word bank to one of the three economies Traditional, Command, and Market.

3. Day 3- May 20, 2020 – Read the article: “Korea’s

Geography” Assignment: Complete the “North Korea

Geography Highlight Worksheet”.

4. Day 4- May 21, 2020- Read the article: “North Korean

Government”. Complete the assignment: “North Korea

History and Government Timeline”.

5. Day 5 May 22, 2020 – HAVE A SAFE AND GREAT

SUMMER

Day 1 – May 18, 2020

Southern Asia Trade

Imagine that you have an orchard of fruit trees in

your backyard and that everyone else in your

neighborhood does too. You probably have more

than you need, and you can’t even give it away to

the folks in your neighborhood. However, let’s

assume that this fruit doesn’t grow in India at all.

Yet, they love your fruit so much that they want to

buy more. Meanwhile, in India, they’re growing

some of the most delicious rice you’ve ever tasted.

So, you decide on a trade. You give them some of

your delicious fruit, and they send you lots and lots

of rice.

On a simplified scale, this is what happens when countries trade. Countries specialize by

providing resources, goods or services that they can produce more quickly, more effectively

or less expensively than other countries can. Then they trade them for items or services they

need, of which other countries have a surplus, or more than they need. Few countries are

completely self-sufficient (have everything they need without trading), especially in Southern

Asia. For instance, Saudi Arabia produces a great deal of oil but not nearly enough food for its

people. So, it trades oil to countries that don’t have enough oil to get money to purchase

food. Israel produces little oil, but it produces plenty of food. Surplus food can be sold for

money to purchase oil.

However, international trade isn’t always that simple. Some barriers to trade include tariffs,

quotas and embargoes. A tariff is a tax that is added to the price of items when they are

imported into a country. Usually, tariffs are intended to keep imported goods from being

cheaper than similar goods made in the receiving country. For instance, what would happen

to the Georgia peach industry if it suddenly became cheaper for Georgians to buy peaches

imported from China than to buy Georgia peaches? Many Georgia peach farmers would be

unable to sell their fruit and have to give up their farms. So, when other countries have so

much surplus that they can sell an item for much less than it costs to produce here, tariffs

help to even out the competition.

Another barrier is a quota. A quota is a limit on the amount of an item that can be imported

from another country. One major item exported from Egypt is cotton. Cotton is also grown in

the southern U.S., so international trade agreements include quotas, or limits on the amount

of cotton that can be imported, to protect the interests of American cotton farmers.

Embargoes are another barrier to international trade. An embargo is when a country decides

to refuse to trade with another country entirely, usually in hopes of interfering with that

country’s economy, for political power. For instance, a country that imports a lot of another

.

country’s goods might refuse to import any more until that country agrees to do something,

like sign a treaty or enforce human rights. Embargoes send a powerful message to the country

at which they are directed. Today, the U.S. enforces embargoes against 22 countries. For

instance, we currently have trade embargoes against portions of Afghanistan that are

controlled by the Taliban, a powerful extremist religious group that has overtaken the Afghan

government in some areas.

Many countries have trade agreements that outline whether they will use barriers such as

these. Today, the U.S. has free trade agreements with 20 countries. But even with these

countries, there are complications to trade, such as the difference in types of currency, or

money. For instance, the national currency of India is the rupee, a type of paper money that is

worth less than 2 American cents. If you ordered an item from India that cost five thousand d

rupees, it would cost about $77. If you sent the seller $77, it would be worthless to them,

because they cannot spend U.S. dollars in India. Our banking systems allow us to convert our

currency into the currencies of other

countries. You can learn more about the value of the U.S. dollar in other countries and see

how it is converted by doing research online.

Trade Barriers Match the vocabulary words with the definitions. ____ tariff A. a tax added to the price of items when they are imported into a country ____ quota B. refusal to trade with another country C. limit on the amount of an item that can be imported ____ embargo Read the following sentences and decide if they describe a tariff, quota or embargo according to the article, “Southern Asia Trade.” If it describes a tariff write a T on the line, a quota write a Q on the line or an embargo write an E on the line. ______ United States will not send apples to Afghanistan.

______ Egypt can only send 1,000 pounds of cotton to the United States.

______ Tax is added to peaches imported from China.

______ T-shirts imported into the United States are taxed.

______ Japan refuses to send oil to North Korea.

______ India can only export 5,000 pounds of rice to Afghanistan.

______ Bangladesh cannot send more than 3,000 pairs of shoes to China.

______ India refuses to send wheat to Cuba.

______ United States adds taxes to the oil from Saudi Arabia.

______ Georgia can only export 100 bushels of peaches to India.

Bonus: Research the United States current trade barriers and write one example of each

(tariff, quota, embargo).

Day 2- May 19, 2020 World Economic Systems

Economic systems differ worldwide. They evolve over time based on countries’ needs. Depending on the type of economic system, decisions about what, how and for whom to produce can change. Some systems rely on consumer trends to determine what and how to produce. Resources, government plans and regulations, and human capital also play a part.

Traditional Economy

A traditional economy is the most basic. It relies on traditions and customs of the community.

Communities determine what their needs are and produce mainly those things. Because

community members have different skills and resources, they barter, or trade, with each

other to meet all their needs. Typically, there is not an excess of resources, so money isn’t

necessary for obtaining goods and services. They simply trade for what they need. However,

changes in production due to weather or other circumstances may result in an increase or

decrease of goods. In the case of excess crops, these resources may be sold across

communities or even longer distances.

Command Economy

Command economies are controlled by the government. Rather than basing production on the needs and wants of the community, the government decides what and how to produce. Rules and regulations are created by the leaders and businesses, and employees are expected to follow them. Command economies leave little room for consumer choice and business creativity.

.

Market Economy Market economies rely on the wants and needs of the consumers. Both producers and consumers have choices when it comes to goods and services to buy and sell. There are still regulations businesses must follow when deciding what and how to produce. Production and business success are determined by supply and demand. Businesses must know what buyers want and how much they are willing to pay to remain successful. Market economies help keep high-quality goods and services available to consumers. Mixed Economic Systems Mixed economic systems build on the successes of traditional, command and market economies. Government still have control over certain aspects, while businesses and consumers have more choices than in a command economy. The levels of control may change with the needs of a country. Economic Systems in Action Different countries rely on different types of economic systems. India takes a mixed approach. The government continues to be highly involved in the ins and outs of businesses and production. The government owns parks and schools. The private sector owns wholesale and retail establishments. The government controls capital goods, heavy industries and basic consumer industry. Private citizens control most light industries and agriculture. India’s government maintains control over household water, public transportation and cooking gas to ensure prices don’t rise too high. Afghanistan is stuck in a traditional, agricultural economy. It has little success, with over a third of the citizens living in poverty and rampant unemployment. The country contains vast mineral resources that have remained undeveloped despite great amounts of cash being provided by other countries to assist in the Afghan economy. Regrettably, the country supplies nearly all of the world supply of opium poppies, which are used in illegal heroin production, despite government efforts to stop it. Bangladesh is becoming an economic success story. Since the 1970s it has evolved from a command economy to a market economy, with citizens owning more of the businesses. Its focus on agriculture and textiles and encouragement of innovation have caused Bangladesh to become one of the world’s fastest growing economies. Check the labels on your clothes to see if any were “Made in Bangladesh.” The ease and ability of creating new businesses and products changes. While market economies allow for more in novation, command economies lack it. Innovation and growth are necessary for a country’s success.

Economies of Southern Asia Read the phrases in the word bank. Decide if the phrase is describing a market, traditional or command economy. Write the phrase in the appropriate column of the chart.

controlled by government trade for needs most basic government decides what to produce rules by leaders

producers and consumers have choices few regulations for businesses no excess of resources money isn’t necessary relies on wants and needs high quality goods no business creativity little room for consumer choice relies on community members

Traditional Command Market

Bonus: Research the countries in Southern Asia and try to find one country to fit each economy description.

GSE SS Standards: SS7E7a ELA GSE Standards: ELAGSE7RI1, ELAGSE7R

.

Day 3 – May 20, 2020

The Korean peninsula juts out of the eastern portion of Asia. Some say it looks like a tiger or

rabbit. The 680-mile-long peninsula, a piece of land that sticks out into the water, is

surrounded by two large bodies of water, both playing a key role in the geography of the

Korean peninsula. On the east side of the peninsula, the Sea of Japan separates the Asian

countries from the Pacific Ocean. To the west the peninsula is bordered by the Yellow Sea,

named for the silt filled waters from the rivers emptying into it. The Yellow Sea is flat and

shallow, with a sea floor that slopes quickly from the land, creating for deep fishing waters

that greatly impact Korea’s economy.

The peninsula itself is divided into two sections; North and South Korea. North Korea accounts

for about 55 percent of the peninsula’s land. It is an area full of mountains and deep,

narrow valleys in its northern region. Mount Paektu, the highest point on the peninsula, is

over 9,000 feet high. Another key geographic feature of North Korea is the Yalu River. The

Yalu, also called the Amnok, begins on the southern slope of Mount Paektu and eventually

empties into the Korean Bay. The Yalu serves many important purposes for the people of

North Korea, including producing hydroelectric power and providing a means of

transportation to many cities located throughout the area.

South Korea, which covers about 45 percent of the land, is also mountainous with small

valleys and coastal plain s. The mountains in South Korea are not as large as the mountains to

the north. Its highest peak is in the Sobaek mountains which reaches over 6,000 feet. South

Korea also has two volcanic islands, Cheju and Ullung. There are also many smaller

islands off the southern and western coasts.

Perhaps the most interesting geographic feature of the Korean peninsula is the demilitarized

zone running across the land. This zone serves as a separation between North and South

Korea. Because few people live along this divided, and it is heavily protected by military

forces, it has created a natural habitat for many animals, including Siberian tigers, Amur

leopards and Asiatic black bears. This provides a sanctuary for these and many other

endangered animals.

North Korea Geographic Highlights

Select the sentence which best describes the key geographic features of North Korea.

1. A. North Korea is located in the middle of Asia and is landlocked.

B. North Korea is located in eastern Asia and is a peninsula.

2. A. North Korea is bordered by the Sea of Japan on the west and the Yellow

Sea on the east. B. North Korea is bordered by the Sea of Japan on the east

and the Yellow Sea on the west.

3. A. North Korea accounts for 55 percent of the land and South Korea

accounts for 45 percent. B. North Korea accounts for 45 percent of the land

and South Korea accounts for 55 percent.

4. A. North Korea is predominantly flat with a few small hills.

B. North Korea is predominately mountainous with deep, narrow valleys.

5. A. North Korea and South Korea are divided by the demilitarized zone which

is also a natural habitat for many animals.

B. North Korea and South Korea are divided by the Yalu River which produces

hydroelectric power for both countries.

.

Day 4 – May 21, 2020

North Korea is officially known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Does it have a democratic

government? Is it a republic? In reality, North Korea’s government is an autocracy, a government in which

one person has the supreme power. The supreme leader of North Korea governs a communist

government. How did this type of government get its start in North Korea?

In the early 20th century, this area became a colony of Japan. Japan lost control after World War II, and

the Soviet Union took over the northern part of Korea, bringing a communist government to power in this

area. The United States took temporary control of South Korea, which later became a republic. In 1948,

North Korea and South Korea became independent nations. The first leader of North Korea was Kim

Ilsung, who became a powerful dictator in North Korea. In 1950, Kim Ilsung directed troops to invade

South Korea. This led to the Korean War, in which the United States helped South Korea. At the end of the

war, the two countries remained divided with the same governments as before the war. Kim Il-sung

continued a harsh rule until he died in 1994. His son, Kim Jong-il, became the new ruler of North Korea.

During his time in power, it was discovered that a nuclear program was being developed in North Korea.

Kim Jongil continued his autocratic rule of North Korea until his death in 2011. A third generation of this

same family began to rule when Kim Jongun took over after his father’s death. He continues to be in

power today. Although North Korea has a constitution and bodies, the real power is with

Kim Jongun and the Communist Party, called the Korean Workers’ Party. There are local elections in

North Korea, but citizens may vote only for the government chosen people on each ballot. The rights of

citizens are limited in North Korea.

North Korea’s History and Government Complete the timeline of events on North Korea’s history.

Write a short paragraph explaining what the role the government plays in the traditions, religion, travel and food of North Korea.

.

Friday May 22, 2020

Ganesha’s Birth Story

1 Ganesha is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Parvati had left

all luxuries of life when she married Shiva and came to live with him on

Mount Kailas. One day she asked Nandi, the most devoted bull and guard

of Shiva, to guard her door while she took a bath. She strictly instructed

Nandi not to allow anybody in. However, when Lord Shiva came home,

Nandi could not tell his master not to enter his own home. Parvati was very annoyed at this

disobedience by Nandi. But she understood that Nandi had to obey his master. She realized that none

of the guards of Shiva would ever become guards loyal only

to her.

2 Next day before having bath, Parvati was smearing

saffron and sandal paste (perfumes) over her body. A

thought came to her mind while she did this. After

scraping the paste off her body, she did not throw it

away. With this thick paste, she created a statue of a

little boy. She then made the statue alive.

3 Parvati was very happy with her new creature. She

declared that the living statue of the boy was now her

son. She asked him to guard the door while she was

bathing. The boy replied that he would not let anyone to disturb Parvati while she bathed.

Parvati went to have a bath.

4 When her husband Shiva came home, the little boy stopped him at the door and blocked his way.

Lord Shiva told the boy that it was his house and to let him enter. But the boy would not obey him,

because he was loyal only to Parvati. He told Shiva he had promised his mother that he would not let

anybody in. Shiva got very angry at this boy he had never before seen.

5 Lord Shiva sent his guards, led by Nandi bull, to move the boy from the gate and let him go inside his

home. The little boy fought them and defeated them. Shiva then called the other gods, but the little boy

could not be defeated by gods either.

6 Now Lord Shiva himself came to fight with the little boy. The angry Shiva cut off the head of the boy

and threw it far away from where they were fighting.

7When Parvati saw the headless body of her son, she became sad and angry. She turned herself

into a fierce Shakti (power, energy force). She was determined to destroy the army of gods that

had killed her son. 8When Lord Shiva knew her plans, he asked Parvati not to destroy the gods.

He told Parvati that he was the one who had killed her son. He also begged her to forgive him.

9 Parvati demanded to have her son alive again, and Shiva agreed to this. Shiva could bring her son back to

life, but he needed to find the boy’s head. He asked his guards to go and get the head of the boy, but they could not find it anywhere.

10 The boy clearly needed a head. Shiva asked the guards to bring him the head of the first creature they

found whose head was lying towards the north.

11Lord Shiva’s guards went out again, this time searching for a creature whose head could substitute

for the missing head. The first animal they say with its head in a north direction was an

elephant. So they cut the elephant’s head and brought it to Shiva.

12 Shiva placed the elephant’s head on the little boy’s body and gave life back to the boy.

Parvati was very happy to see her son alive again. Shiva told Parvati that the boy would be his

son, too. He said they would call him “Gajaanana” - the one having the face of an elephant.”

13Parvati asked Shiva to give a position of

authority to their son. Shiva decided that their

son had shown great power, loyalty, and bravery

when he fought for his mother’s privacy. The boy

stood firm and removed all obstacles when fighting

against the army of gods. Therefore, he would

have the role of removing obstacles from

everyone’s path who prays to him. People would

also pray to him as the first god – before praying to any other god.

14Therefore, this son of Shiva and Parvati came to be known as the

remover of all obstacles. Because their son had also defeated all of

Lord Shiva’s guards (Ganas), Shiva said the boy would also be known

as “Ganesh” – the god over the Ganas.

15Parvati was now very happy. With a smile on her face,

she lifted her son Ganesh on to her lap. Thus the family of

Shiva and Parvati got a great son in form of Ganesha.

The Vedas Literature Connection:

Ganesha’s Birth Story

1. In most ancient cultures – including ancient India – women had very little

power. What events in this story show the idea that women can have power?

.

2. In which paragraph(s) did you find the evidence for this answer? ____

3. Although Parvati is a strong female character in this story, there is

something about her that makes Parvati totally different from

other women. What is it?

4. In which paragraph did you find the evidence for this answer?

____

5. In Hinduism, Lord Shiva is seen as a powerful god with good

and bad characteristics. Based on the story, what do you think is

one good characteristic of Lord Shiva?

6. In which paragraph did you find the evidence for this answer? ____

7. Based on the story, what do you think is one bad characteristic of Lord

Shiva?

8. In which paragraph did you find the evidence for this answer? ____

9. In Hinduism, Parvati is the “mother goddess,” the goddess of love, fertility and

devotion. Based on the story, give one example of why she is viewed this way.

10. In which paragraph did you find your answer? ____

11. Tell one event in the story that shows that Parvati was not always just loving

and sweet.

12. In which paragraph did you find your answer? ____

13. Why do you suppose Hindu parents usually give

their children an image of Ganesh as their first

religious gift (before they give them a statue of any

other Hindu god)?

14. In which paragraph did you find the evidence for this answer? ____