Sleight of Hand! (Last Friday's Fun Video...)

Some Samples for You to Use on Your Song Project

Drive Folder with Garageband mp3s

They are of varying lengths and quality. Please include at least one in your song project. Of course you may edit the sample to make it better fit your song.

Remember, please: your song is due this Friday.

Chapter Ten

Tonight you need to read Section One of Chapter Ten. Answer the Reading Checks and Numbers Three and Five of the Section Review.

Due Tomorrow.

Eighth Grade Project

The 1820s through the 1850s were a time of great changes in America. There were changes in technology with new inventions and social movements of various kinds tried to make the world a better place. Students will have a person from the time period to do research on and make a presentation.

They will need to make a presentation between four and eight minutes, including the salient facts about their person (born, died, married, etc.) but emphasizing more importantly how this person was a part of their changing times. What influence did they have on the way our country is now? What did they try and change for the better? Why? Why should we remember this person?

All presentations will include a public speaking portion and an additional technological portion. The second can be keynote, podcast, iMovie, slideshow, etc.

The project is due on December 17th.

Garageband Song Project

Students!

You've been asking for it! Here it is...!

The song project:

• must be three minutes long
• must include sound recorded through the macbook microphone
• must include a sound imported from iTunes
• must include at least one loop
• must have at least five tracks
• must write a paper explaining each track selection

Due December 14th

American History Homework on Building the Erie Canal

If you have not already, please finish the work we started in class today. The page can be found here. Don't forget that you registered using your school email.

As Sarah would say, "Words of wisdom..."

Questions on Monroe Doctrine and War of 1812

My apologies for not posting this earlier. I am giving time in class to finish this.

• When was the Monroe Doctrine issued, why, and by whom? What does it say? Why was it a 'bold act'?
• Answer the APS questions from pp 368-369; your answer from number seven must be three paragraphs.

First Set of Tasks for Garageband

• How do you record sound on Garageband? 
• How do you split an audio track so that you can manipulate them separately? 
• How do you join two split tracks into one? 
• How do you change the volume of just one track (not the whole song)? 
• How do you pan a track? (Panning will put the sound to the left or right) 
• How do you adjust pitch, duration, and alignment of notes? 
• How do you double or triple a loop? 

I don't need you to write a paper on these. I only want you to know how to do these. You will be quizzed on them in the future (probably a very small quiz tomorrow and a more extensive one next week.) You may take notes on these tasks and use your notes on any quizzes.

You will be using many of these tasks in your upcoming Garageband projects.

You will find this page useful:  WikiHow page on Garageband but don't be afraid to use other resources including your classmates.

Here is another good page on editing.

American History War of 1812 Assignment

Today in class we watched a portion of the PBS production, "The War of 1812." For your homework, you need to bring me a paragraph in response to the portion we watched. You can write about things learned, questions raised, connections made to your reading or other experience. You can write your paragraph response on almost anything, but you need to convince me that you watched the first part of the film attentively.

Watch The War of 1812 Full Program on PBS. See more from The War of 1812.

Chapter Seven Homework American History

In American History, we are now reading about the events of President Jefferson;s administration. Read Section One of Chapter Seven and:

• answer both Reading Checks
• read the Then and Now on page 344, answer both questions and explain why or why not
• find three countries that the US currently has an embargo on and why
• write a list of five of Jefferson's accomplishments that you personally are impressed by

Due tomorrow.

Here is a link to chapter seven.

Bonus Video!

Happy Turkey Day!

American History Lewis and Clark/American Indian Project

In your groups of four or five, you will create a poster and prepare a presentation. Your poster and presentation should include the following information:

• name of the tribe (most tribes had more than one name)
• leader of the tribe
• location of the tribe
• year/season when Lewis and Clark (and their Corps of Discovery) encountered the tribe
• a description of the tribe's way of life and their beliefs
• description of the tribe's relationship with Lewis and Clark

You may also add other information that you think we will find interesting, but do not let it overshadow the above information.

Your poster and presentation are due next Tuesday.

American History Homework

Chapter Six

Your homework for tonight:

• Read Sections One and Two of Chapter Six (if you did not finish in class)
• Section Two Reading Checks
• Section Two Section Review Four and Five
• UGS (p 316) One and Two

Due tomorrow

Attack Ads from 1800

Class Election Results!

You likely already know the results of the General Election. So how did our class stack up?

President
Mitt Romney 64%
Barack Obama 24%
Jill Stein 4%
Roseanne Barr 4%
Gary Johnson 3%
Thomas Hoefling 0%

A little different than the nationwide results!

Tomorrow we'll compare that with the United States as a whole, with California, and with Riverside County.

Mr. Eddy Made His Prediction!

Students were asking what I thought the results of today's election would be, so I made a prediction. I stapled it shut and had Livia draw on the outside (so you would be able to tell if I tried to tamper with it tomorrow.) Inside is my guess for who will win the election, how many electoral votes he will get, and who will win our class election (with a rough percentage guess.)

Any predictions from you?

Link to Chapter Five of Eighth Grade American History

Chapter Five

Questions for Today

Due tomorrow!

Chapter Five, Section One Questions

Your two questions for Chapter Five, Section One:

1. Who were the members of Washington's cabinet, and what were their positions?

2. Alexander Hamilton had a four-part plan to fix the economy. What were the four parts? The chapter will be posted soon.

It's Almost Over, Kids...

Presidential Candidate Assignment

Today in class we went to iSideWith, a website that asks you questions about your opinions on important issues. You need to finish the survey (don't forget to adjust the issues you think are more important by moving the left-hand marker to 'more' or 'most' instead of leaving it as 'somewhat') including the additional questions in each category.

After you click to see your results, you need to write me a good paragraph response. What did you think about this assignment? Were you surprised by your results? Did you get the candidate you already support? Did you get a candidate that you had not previously heard of? Perhaps a third-party candidate? Does that make you want to know more about that candidate? Did it make you think differently about the issues? Was your previous opinion solidly confirmed?

Email me your good paragraph response. Please do not just send me a sentence or two unless it shows deep thought about the topic!

Electoral College Homework for American History

Today we discussed the Electoral College system and how the President is elected. Your homework is to, using a site like www.270towin.com or a similar site, figure out the fewest number of states (and which ones) that a candidate could win to win the Presidency.

Supreme Court Presentation

Students,

Here are the details (again!) on your Supreme Court presentation:

• Your groups have already been arranged and approved
• Your case has already been chosen and approved
• You need to do research on the case and include in your presentation
• The basic facts of the case (what happened? when? where? who was involved?)
• What law was broken? What law was challenged?
• What were the arguments of both sides?
• What did the Supreme Court decide? Why? What was the vote?
• What do you think would have happened if the Supreme Court had decided the other way?
• All partners in your group need to speak during the presentation
• Your presentation must include visual elements (iMovie, Keynote, iPhoto, costumes and props, etc.)
• You need to be ready to answer questions about your case and presentation
• If you are being thorough, your presentation will probably be around five minutes or more

Tonight's HIstory Homework

Tonight you need to find out—and be ready to tell me tomorrow—who our US Senators are, and who our Representative in Congress is.

Go to it, problem-solvers!

History Homework

The assignment on the Cabinet is NOT due tomorrow. We will continue and finish it in class tomorrow!

American History Chapter Four

Here is the link to Chapter Four from the textbook.

Link for Technology Video: 'The Story of Send'

The Story of Send!

American History Extra Credit Opportunity

You have a one night only extra credit opportunity. Watch a portion of the Presidential debate airing tonight (at least thirty minutes; you do not need to watch all ninety minutes!) and

• write down the questions that are asked of the candidates in the portion you watch
• summarize their responses

Do the best you can. I understand that much of the conversation may be difficult to comprehend or follow. Write down keywords. If help is available to you, take it!

This is due tomorrow. Better job equals more points!

Watch it on television... or watch it right here!

Question on Articles of Confederation for Tonight

Here are the notes we took today on the Articles of Confederation and the question for homework:

Articles of Confederation

States had __________ branches of government

• ______________: to __________ laws
• ______________: to __________ laws
• ______________: to __________ laws

Articles of Confederation central government had ________ branch of government
______________: to __________ laws (required _____ of 13 to ______ laws)

Articles of Confederation could not:

• ___________ (could only ______ states for ________)
• ___________ laws (left to _______)
• ___________ laws (left to _______)
• control _________ (each state could ________ money and impose ________)

To change Articles required _____ of 13 states to approve

Articles of Confederation government was ___________ ___________

-----


Here's the question for homework:
Knowing what you know about the colonies, their history, and why they fought for independence, describe why they intentionally created a weak government (a good paragraph)

Change in Tutoring Schedule - This Week Only!

Students, This week tutoring will be held on Monday from 2:45 to 3:30 and on Friday from 2:30 to 3:30. There will be no tutoring in my classroom on Wednesday.

Keynote Presentation Assignment

As a reminder, here are the requirements for the seventh grade presentations

• presentations are done individually, not in groups
• topics are related to class topics (or topics from other classes) and approved by Mr. Eddy
• minimum of ten slides
• must use transitions and builds (not necessary on every slide)
• must be academic/professional in style
• spoken presentation must last between two and five minutes
• due on October 1st, with possibility of extra credit if ready to present on September 28th

Here is the slideshow we watched on avoiding bad presentation:

Death by PowerPoint from Alexei Kapterev

End of War

Here are the questions on the end of the Revolutionary War. If you did not finish these in class, please finish them at home.

• Winning what battle ensured the Americans would win the Revolutionary War? (hint: it is the last major battle of the war)
• What treaty ended the war?
• How did the American Revolution inspire other revolutions?

Revolutionary War Questions

Read 150-157

Choose four of the following six questions and answer them (like a scholar? of course)

“How did Bunker Hill change British expectations about the war?”

“Who was Thomas Paine and what did he do?”

“What does the preamble to the Declaration of Independence state?”

“Why was the Battle of Saratoga a turning point?”

“What was guerrilla warfare and why was it effective?”

“What might have happened if the French had not allied with the colonists in the Revolutionary War?”

I will check for this work tomorrow.

Jeans Day Tomorrow!

WOOOOO-HOOOO!

Binder Due This Friday

Here is the inventory for your American History Binder due this Friday:

Notes

Homework/Classwork

History, Why Bother?

Questions on European Influence on Founding

2.1 “Steps Towards...”

13 Colonies Questions

Sinners in the Hands...

Proclamation of 1763

Stamp Act Responses

Gaspee Affair Questions

Questions 138-141

Tests/Quizzes

Tally of Online Quiz Scores (with date of quiz, score, and grade)

Quiz One

Pop Quiz

Projects/Presentations

Current Events 8/24

Current Events 9/7

Map/Miscellaneous

Colonial Map (extra credit only -- see blog)

Extra Credit Map Assignment for American History

Download and print out this Colonial Map 1776 here. (I will have limited quantities available in my room.)

You need to find and accurately label the following places on the map:

• Virginia
• Massachusetts 
• New Hampshire
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Maryland
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey 
• New York
• Delaware
• Georgia

You also need to color-code the colonies (either with shading or outlining) by region; the four New England colonies together, the four Middle colonies together, and the five Southern colonies together.

Also label:

• Boston
• New York City
• Philadelphia
• Mississippi River
• and three other colonial-era places of your choice (cities, ranges, bodies of water, etc)

Place this in the Maps/Miscellaneous section of your binder and turn in on Friday

This Week in American History Class...

REMEMBER!

Your timeline project is DUE TOMORROW.

The last day your missing work will be accepted for credit is THIS WEDNESDAY (by 4:00)

You have a Current Events Presentation (election-related) THIS FRIDAY.

Your complete binders are due THIS FRIDAY.

History Quiz

Technology Quiz

Piper Plagiarism Incident

Here are the questions you need to answer. Here is the article.

What happened at Piper?

Why did the original punishment get changed?

Why were teachers and some parents upset about the change?

Do you think the punishment should have been changed? Why or why not?

What do you think should have been done with the students who plagiarized?

Do you think the students had enough warning before it happened about what plagiarism is and the consequences?

In-Class Plagiarism Work Due

In case you forgot, dear technology students, please remember to send me your completed worksheet/charts on the plagiarism-connected articles that you discussed in your groups the past few days.

Steps to Revolution Timeline Project

Here are the criteria for your timeline project:

• must be on unlined paper (do not try and complete it on a single sheet of regular paper, it will not work) or a Keynote or a slideshow (if you have an idea for an alternate way of presenting the information, please get it approved by me)
• you need all seventeen events (see below) on your timeline in chronological order by month and year
• you need at least fifteen appropriate illustrations (do not use watermarked or pixellated pictures)
• you need a description of each event (one to three sentences); do not plagiarize your descriptions or you will get a zero on the entire project
• a title for your timeline; do not use the title, 'Timeline'
• be creative and accurate

List of Events:

• Proclamation of 1763
• Sugar Act
• Stamp Act
• Stamp Act Congress
• Stamp Act Repeal
• Declaratory Act
• Townshend Acts
• Boston Massacre
• Boston Committee of Correspondence
• Gaspee Affair
• Tea Act
• Boston Tea Party
• Coercive (Intolerable) Acts
• HMS Peggy Stewart Affair
• First Continental Congress
• Second Continental Congress
• Battles of Lexington and Concord

YOUR PROJECT IS DUE ON SEPTEMBER 18TH

Stamp Act Responses

Today in class we reviewed the Proclamation of 1763 and then discussed both the Sugar Act and Stamp Act and how colonists responded.

Using this page and our class discussion, write a thorough response to this question:

What were the different ways that colonists responded to the Stamp Act?

This is due and will be collected tomorrow.

Tutoring is Cancelled This Week

I'm sorry for the late notice, but I need to cancel tutoring this week as I am ill. I may have a second tutoring day next week to make up.

Thank you.

Current Events Due

This Friday, you have your second Current Events Presentation. This week, it must be a news article related to the 2012 Elections (local, state, or nationwide).

Remember to use the Presentation Guide to help you get the best grade possible.

French and Indian War

We are now walking rapidly on the Road to the Revolutionary War. Our stop today was on the French and Indian War and the subsequent Proclamation of 1763. We took a small amount of notes in class and then read the first four pages of Chapter Two, Section Three. In class we answered this question:

What was the Proclamation of 1763? What were its effects? Why did the British pass it? How did the Americans respond and why?

If you were not able to finish that in class, then you need to finish it at home. I will check it tomorrow for points.

Pages Honor Assignment Due this Wednesday

The Honor assignment started last week is due this Wednesday. If you are able to print it out, please do so.

Remember, here are the criteria:

You must use Pages to create a flyer or poster (using any template at all!) to represent honor.

You must have:

• one quote (or more)
• one picture (or more)
• characteristics of honor
• your approved person of honor

Be creative!

You will present your finished product in class starting on Thursday.

History Quiz!

Eighth Grade on The Great Awakening

We have turned in the questions on the Thirteen Colonies (what colonies make up New England, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies, and their commonalities) and have moved on to the First Great Awakening.

We went over a little background today on this Christian revival and the changes it brought to the colonies—changes that were not just religious, but also political.

Together in class, we looked at an excerpt from 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God' by Jonathan Edwards and made note of the sensory images he uses, the emotions he is trying to evoke in his hearers, and the Christian religious beliefs he is connecting those images to. We are using the excerpt and the worksheet found at this page. We did several in class together, you need to find another five (at least!) at home, and turn it in tomorrow.

For those curious to read the rest of this famous sermon, you can find it here.

Working in American History

We are now looking at the thirteen colonies (later to become the first thirteen states of the United States of America) and dividing them into three groups: the Southern colonies, the Middle colonies, and the New England colonies.

In class, you answered the questions of which colonies belong in each group (four in New England and the Middle, five in the Southern) and the more difficult question of what commonalities each group's colonies share.

We will continue to discuss this tomorrow.

What We've Been Doing In Technology

In our technology class, we are now examining search and research skills. Students have learned a little bit about how Google works, and how that knowledge can help us make better searches. We've learned a little about keywords, queries, whether capitalization matters, keyword order matters, and so forth.

Students have also learned criteria to help decide on the reliability of a website. Students even looked at a few websites and judged whether they were reliable or not using those criteria. Our favorite website used and investigated had to be this one on saving the endangered Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus.

Chapter Two for Eighth Grade

Here is a link to Chapter Two of the eighth grade textbook. You can use this as a resource while we are studying the American Founding.

Eighth Grade History Chapter Two

Steps Toward...

We are moving on from our general look at European colonization of North America into a more specific look at the English colonies on the East Coast. Today in class you read Section One of Chapter Two. You should be taking note of two things: the move towards religious freedom in those colonies, and the move towards self-government in those colonies. Remember this was not a linear progression, it moved back and forth in different times and places to get us to where we are now.

We will continue working tomorrow in class together on our List of Steps Towards Self-Government and our List of Steps Towards Religious Freedom. You will end by having at least three events on each list. I will collect your lists for credit on Friday.

Current Events Presentation Guide

This activity is designed to introduce and encourage students to become aware of current issues in the community, state, nation, and world. You will search for original current event articles every other week. Some possible topics you may research include: political figures, elections, campaigns, political crises, major court cases, major crime investigations, civil rights issues, famine or natural disasters, developments in science and technology, business and finance, health breakthroughs or disease outbreaks. Stories centered on sports and entertainment are not acceptable for this assignment. You may search newspapers, news magazines, or news-oriented websites.

Once you find an article, you must do the following:

• Clip the article. If your research is from the internet, print out the article. Original articles only. No copies are allowed. (3 points)
• Staple the article to the back of your summary paper. (1 point)
• Please highlight or underline key elements of the article (names, places, facts, figures, etc.) (1 point)
• Include a short summary of the article. Summary must be neatly written or typed. Summary must include (5 points):
• Who and what the article is about
• Where, when, and why
• Implications for the community, state, country, or world
• Whether and how it affects you
• How it relates to any current class discussions
• Include bibliographic citation (on summary page) in the following formats (5 points):
• Newspaper article: Author's last name, first name. "Article Title." Newspaper name Date: page number.
• (example) Brubaker, Bill. "New Health Center Targets County's Uninsured Patients." Washington Post 24 May 2007: LZ01.
• Magazine article: Author(s). "Title of Article." Title of Periodical Day Month Year: pages.
• (example) Poniewozik, James. "TV Makes a Too-Close Call." Time 20 Nov. 2000: 70-71.
• Website article: Author's last name, first name. "Article Title." Name of online publication. (Date posted). Date accessed. <Complete URL>.
• (example) Bernstein, Mark. "10 Tips on Writing the Living Web." A List Apart: For People Who Make Websites. (16 Aug. 2002). 4 May 2006 <http://alistapart.com/articles/writeliving>.

Your spoken presentation needs to include the information in your summary. It should only take sixty seconds or less for you to give us the summary. Practice good eye contact and volume to get the best grade.

Fun Video Film Friday Day Video Fun! (Film!)

Here's the video we watched today... "I can smell your peanut-butter lies from here."

Chapter One for Eighth Grade

Here is a link to Chapter One of the eighth grade textbook. You can use this as a resource while we are studying the American Founding.


Chapter One

Questions to Guide American History

Here are the questions you began to copy down in class. Together we discussed and answered the first five. We'll work some more on the rest tomorrow in class, both in discussion and using the textbook. They will be due this Friday.


What is democracy and where did the idea originate?

What is a republic and where did the idea originate?

What is “rule of law” and where did the idea originate?

What is a covenant and where did the idea originate?

What is Natural Law?

How did the Protestant Reformation influence the American founding?

What did Thomas Hobbes think was the ideal government and why?

What did John Locke think was the ideal government and why?

Who was Voltaire and which of his ideas is very influential in the American founding?

What did Baron Montesquieu think was the ideal government and why?

What is the idea of a Social Contract?

How To/Not To Take Care of Your Macbook Story Assignment for Technology

For our Technology class, you need to go to this page on Macbook care and review it. Most of the information is common sense, but some may be new to you.

 Then you need to write me a story about two people, both with new Macbooks. One follows all the directions for taking care of the Macbook, the other does not. Include at least three mistakes that the person not taking care of their Macbook makes.

 Your story does not have a length requirement or limit. Have fun and make it good. You may illustrate your story also!

 Your story is due tomorrow.

History, Why Bother? Paragraph

History - Why Bother from Jess McCulloch

This is the slideshow we watched for today's assignment. You need to pick a quote from the slideshow, and respond to it with a good paragraph (or more). You can tell me whether you agree or disagree with the quote, but be specific as to why.

This paragraph is due tomorrow.

What Have We Been Doing In Technology Class?

So what have we been doing this first week (almost) in Technology class?

We've been—and will continue to be—discussing  policies in the class and subjects we will cover. We have already started with a brief review of the history of technology and the 'Creation of the Computer' (using the Modern Marvels documentary of the same name) and in-class notes. Soon we will start discussing how to take care of our computers, the parts, and Pages.

The only 'assignments' we have had at this point are for students to bring in their composition book or spiral-bound notebook, which will be dedicated to use only in history class, and to write me a 'Dear Mr. Eddy' letter. As an optional extra credit assignment, students could have brought in a note signed by a parent saying that the Welcome Letter has been read. I am still accepting the signed note for extra credit.

I hope you can come to Back to School Night this Wednesday. I look forward to seeing old faces and meeting new ones!

What Have We Been Doing In American History?

So what have we been doing this first week (almost) in American History?

We've been—and will continue to be—discussing  policies in the class and subjects we will cover. We have already started with a brief review of 'America Before Columbus' (using the documentary of the same name) and in-class notes. Soon we will start discussing the English colonies on the East Coast.

The only 'assignments' we have had at this point are for students to bring in their three-ring binder, which will be dedicated to use only in history class and to write me a 'Dear Mr. Eddy' letter. As an optional extra credit assignment, students could have brought in a note signed by a parent saying that the Welcome Letter has been read. I am still accepting the signed note for extra credit.

I hope you can come to Back to School Night this Wednesday. I look forward to seeing old faces and meeting new ones!

Class Dojo Issues?

A few students have had issues logging in to their Class Dojo pages. I have talked with Mr. Loftus and the site has now been added to our list, so that you should be able to access it. You might need to restart your computer for it to take effect. Please leave me a comment if you are able to or not! Thanks!

Fun Video Film Friday Fun Film Day!

Here are the two videos we watched for Fun Video Film Friday Fun Film Day. The first is serious and touching, the second a little silly.


Video of Liu Xiang's fall and rise at the Olympic hurdles event

Assignments already!?!

Only a couple days in and we already have assignments!?!

Yes, we do, but they're easy. They won't always be as easy as these. Eighth grade history students, you need to have your 'Dear Mr. Eddy' letters for me tomorrow. We started those in class and a few of you finished them already. You also need to have your three-ring binder by Monday. Please notify me if you have any issue with getting a binder. We can make arrangements if I know ahead of time. If you do not have your three-ring binder on Monday morning, then you will lose points.

You have an opportunity for a small amount of extra credit. Remember, I only rarely give extra credit. To get the extra credit, read the Welcome Letter for American History. Then have a parent read it. Your parent needs to write a note with a signature (or sign a printout of the Welcome Letter) acknowledging that they read it. Turn it in to me tomorrow for extra credit!

It's just that easy.

Introductory Documents

Here are a few important introductory documents:

 Welcome Letter for American History

 Welcome Letter for Technology

Curiosity has landed!

True or false: Mr. Eddy had tears in his eyes by the end of this video... Put your answer in a comment.

That's more like it!

Classroom empty... but not for long!

Eighth Grade Work

Eighth graders are working in Chapter Fifteen.

Please read Section Three and answer the Understanding Geography Skills, the Reading Checks, and questions one through four, six, and seven from the Section Review.

Seventh Grade Work

Seventh graders are continuing in the chapter on early Mesoamerican societies. In Section Two, answer the Reading Checks and one through six from the Section Review.

Next is 'The Flood' on page 465. Answer one through four at the end of the story.

A rare extra credit opportunity: answer number five from the end of the story. You need to include at least three different cultures' flood stories in the research for your answer.

Eighth Grade - Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen is here. Please finish the Section One assignment (Reading Checks, Section Review one, two, four, five, and six)

Unless you were absent, this is due at the end of class Friday.

Seventh Grade - Project on the Mayan People

Go to this website and pick a topic. You will need to be ready to give me your topic at the beginning of class tomorrow.

You should also start compiling some facts about your topic. Tomorrow we'll discuss the nature of the project.

Seventh Grade - Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine on Early Americas

We read Section One today in class and began working on answering the Reading Checks and one through five of the Section Review. Tomorrow it's Mayan calendar time!

CST Reviews for Eighth Graders

7th Grade CST Review

6th Grade CST Review

By popular demand, I have uploaded and shared the reviews we used in class. Let me know if you are using them or find them helpful!

Seventh Grade Test on Friday

These are the terms you need to know for your quiz. You will be allowed to use one side of one piece of paper for notes.

Martin Luther
Desiderius Erasmus
John Wycliffe
William Tyndale
Christian humanism
indulgences
denomination
John Calvin
Henry VIII
Mary I
Elizabeth I
theology
predestination
annul
Calvinism
Anglican Church
Council of Trent
Ignatius of Loyola
Huguenot
Maimonides
Jesuits
divine right
Francis Xavier

Seventh Grade Work

We have finished the chapter on the Reformation and now must prepare for a test.

Before we do that, finish the Chapter Eight Assessment assignment - questions one through four, eleven through sixteen, and twenty-one. The last question needs to be answered in two paragraphs and please tell me your sources for your information.

The assessment will be collected on Thursday. We will be taking notes tomorrow for our upcoming test.

Eighth Grade Work Today

In class we took notes on the Radical Reconstruction and the Election of 1868.

We also started the 14-3 assignment. Read the section and answer question five from the section review. Your finished article must be a full page in length.

Seventh Grade Assignment

From section two of chapter eight on the Reformation (and its spread), you need to answer both reading checks (thoroughly, like a scholar); these will be collected tomorrow.

Eighth Grade Chapter Fourteen

Link to Chapter Fourteen

I apologize for it being nearly ninety minutes later than I thought I would have it posted. Please email if the delay caused a problem.

I will check your composition books tomorrow for notes from today's in-class discussion and your reading of section one.

Section Review questions four and five (from section one) will be collected on Wednesday.

Eighth Grade End of War Work

From Chapter Thirteen, please read the section on Opposition to the War (pp 600-602) and the Final Phases of the War (pp 607-613) and answer the following questions like the scholar:

• Who were the Copperheads?
• Why were there draft riots?
• Why was Lincoln worried he would lose the election in 1864?
• What was Sherman's 'total war'?
• Where did Lee surrender, and what were the terms? Why do you think Grant chose those terms?

Due tomorrow.

Eighth Grade History Question

Eighth graders,

As we discussed today, I want you to ponder and then seriously answer this question:

How has watching the video in class affected your learning?

Answer this from a personal perspective. Please go deep on this one.

Eighth Grade - Chapter Thirteen

Here is Chapter Thirteen for Eighth Grade

You will have time tomorrow to work on the reading checks from section two. They will be due first thing Monday morning.

Chapter Eight for Seventh Grade History

Here is Chapter Eight

Eighth Graders! Do Not Forget Freshman Orientation This Wednesday

Freshman Orientation

When:  Wednesday, March 21st

Time: 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Where:  MSJC Room 927  (in the 900 building)

This is a very important overview of the transition to high school.  Both the student and parent should plan on attending. Come learn about the programs available, classes, expectations and activities for our 9th grade.
*Biomedical Pathway       *Engineering Pathway
*Business Pathway      *CP Classes
*Activities       *Sports

Seventh Grade Reformation Terms

Remember that you need to ask two different adults what they know about the following terms:

• denomination
• Protestant (or Protestantism)
• Martin Luther
• indulgences
• John Wycliffe
• John Calvin
• theology
• predestination

You will not be graded on how accurate the responses are. But by the end of this chapter, you will know every single one yourself!

Eighth Grade Video Response

In class, we watched over half an hour of the first episode of Ken Burns' "The Civil War."

You need to pick a photo, or a quote, or a scene pictured and write me a paragraph in response. Why did that stick with you? How did it make you feel? What do you connect it with? What questions does it raise for you?

Due first thing tomorrow.

Upcoming Quizzes for Seventh and Eighth Grade

As hinted at all week long, we are having quizzes.

The seventh grade quiz on the Renaissance will be tomorrow. Students will not be using their composition books, but may have a single side of a single page to use as notes on the quiz. The topics that you need to know:

• define Renaissance
• why did it start in Italy
• features of Renaissance art
• how it differed from Medieval art
• what do humanists believe
• what is the vernacular
• at least two writers in vernacular
• who was Leonardo da Vinci and what did he do
• who invented the printing press
• what effect did the printing press have

The upcoming eighth grade quiz on the 'road to the Civil War' (from 1856 to February of 1861) will be next Tuesday.

Seventh Grade Chapter Seven on the Renaissance

Here is the chapter on the Renaissance.

Seventh Grade Chapter Assessment

We have finished our chapter on the Renaissance, which means we have a test coming up soon!

Before we get to that however, we have the End of Chapter Assessment. It's found on page 416 and 417 in the book. Students must complete questions one through nineteen and question twenty-four. For question twenty-four, students must pick at least five artists or writers to get full credit.

This assignment is due Thursday morning Friday morning.

Seventh Grade Chapter Upload

I had a little trouble uploading the chapter last night. I will complete the upload today after school. I am extending the due date for the assignment to Friday morning.

Eighth Grade - Chapter Twelve

Here is  Chapter Twelve

Eight Grade - Chapter Eleven

Here is Chapter Eleven of the textbook

Book Fair!

Information for Book Fair This Week!

Eighth Grade Work

We continued today to work on 11-3, all Reading Checks and Section Review questions one through five, and on 11-4, all Reading Checks and Section Review questions one through five.

We also took notes on California and Utah. Get those from a classmate if you do not have them.

Seventh Grade Renaissance Art Presentation

You will present this on Friday.

Go to this site (or another Renaissance art site, if you prefer)

On the Artchive site, you should see a list of Renaissance artists. Browse through the artists and click a few of their linked pictures (should be under Image List on each artist page.) Once you find a piece of art you like, send me the name and the artist's name quickly. You need my approval.

On Friday, you will introduce the work of art you chose to the class. Tell us the name of the work, who created it, when and where it was created, the subject or topic of the work, and why you chose it. To get an A on this, you need to discuss using the terms I have talked about in class (perspective, vanishing point, chiaroscuro, realism, etc.)

Mexican-American War

Mexican-American War

Manifest Destiny - national belief that the United States should expand to claim and settle land all the way to the Pacific

James K Polk campaigned on idea of expansion, including annexation of Texas and expansion into Oregon Territory

Outgoing President John Tyler annexes Texas on last day of his presidency

After Polk’s election, John Slidell is sent to Mexico to negotiate purchase of California and New Mexico. He is authorized to offer 30 million dollars but is rejected without a meeting.

Polk tells General Zachary Taylor to station troops in contested area between Nueces River and Rio Grande (Nueces was border according to Mexico, and Rio Grande was border according to US). His troops are fired upon in month of  April 1846 and President Polk asks Congress for Declaration of War in May of 1846

Americans overwhelmingly support the War, with exception of abolitionists and some Whigs

General Stephen Watts Kearney led forces into California and New Mexico while General Taylor pushed to Mexico City.

In June 1846, John C Frémont proclaimed California as Republic of California -- unaware of war with Mexico. American troops land and claim California shortly thereafter.

By September 1847, General Winfield Scott had captured Mexico City and the war was over.

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo settled claims. Mexico ceded California and New Mexico for 15 million dollars.

War only inflamed controversy over expansion of slavery, with competing proposals to address the issue: Wilmot Proviso proposed forbidding slavery in new territories. The bill was rejected.

Eighth Grade Work on Mexican-American War

I will be posting today's notes later today.

Remember that tomorrow your timeline questions are due. Go to this site and scroll through the three different timelines (make sure to scroll to the end on each timeline): Before The War, War Years, and After The War. You need to create five questions for each timeline.

I will collect this first thing tomorrow.

More Questions and Clarification on Castle Project

Remember that you need to define every term in Step Two.

You need to have at least ten of those terms labelled on your castle model.

Your castle needs to be able to fit inside my classroom!

How to Build A Castle!

This site will give you some ideas on how to build your castle.

Manifest Destiny Interview Project

In your pairs, you need to write and either record or perform an interview of your historical person associated with the era of Manifest Destiny (approximately 1830s to 1840s) with the following criteria:

-- Written script
-- Two minutes (points off for every fifteen seconds plus or minus)
-- Interview needs to center on their role in the period of the 1830s and 1840s
-- Question and Answer interview format
-- Think of how interviewers ask questions to get information from their subjects
-- One partner will be interviewer and one will be historical person
-- Interview can be recorded as a "radio interview" using Garageband or performed live

Castle Project: To Begin!

Castle Project
For this project you will be building a castle and assembling a folder with documents related to your castle.


To begin: go to this webpage goo.gl/tdQid and read the portion on ‘The Task.’ Although it says you can do a video, you must do a physical model castle, not just a video. Continue reading the rest of the page.

What Belongs In Your Folder?
Title Page (with your name, your teacher’s name, date assignment is due, class name, and name of your castle)
Typed questions and answers from ‘Step One - Daily Life’
Typed Glossary of Castle Terms from ‘Step Two - The Baron's Castle Specifications’
Typed page of Castle Features and Defenses (What does your castle have? Did you get the idea from other castles? What kind of defenses did you choose? Why?)
Blueprint of your castle with terms marked and noted (e.g., buttress, outer curtain, gate house, etc.)
Typed Reflection (full page based on Reflection questions)

Notes for Eighth Grade on Texas and Independence

Notes for Eighth Grade

Six national flags have flown over Texas in its history: _______, _______, _______, _______ of _______, the _______ _______ of _______, and the _______ _______ of _______

1821 - Americans are recruited to _______ _______ and Mexico wins freedom from Spain
_______ _______ moves to Texas and recruits 300 American families to join him
1830 - Americans outnumber Mexicans in Texas - Mexico issues decree stopping all _______ from _______ and _______ _______ _______
American Texans, called _______, began to feel frustration. They also worried that Mexico would _______ _______ in Texas, but disagreed on how to respond.
1833 - Mexican President _______ _______ _______ removed ban on immigration
1835 - Santa Anna _______ Mexican constitution and became _______ - tensions grew for Texians and more and more wanted _______
October - Mexican Army came to Gonzales, TX to _______ _______ in the town. Texians flew a flag reading, ‘_______ _______ _______ _______’ -- Texians won battle -- first battle of War for Texian Independence
Texians put out call for volunteers - _______ _______ moves to TX from Tennessee
December - Texians win Battle for San Antonio
February 1836 - Santa Anna himself marches into Texas into San Antonio to small fort called _______
Inside were approx. 160 soldiers led by _______ _______ and including _______ _______ and _______ _______ facing approx. _______ Mexican soldiers
Alamo was under siege for _______ days before it fell and every soldier was killed
During the siege, Texians published _______ _______ of _______ and _______ _______ was named commander-in-chief of Texian forces
March - Battle of Goliad - Texians surrendered to Mexican forces and over 300 Texians were executed
April - Battle of San Jacinto - Texians surprised Santa Anna, shouting “Remember the _______! Remember _______!” and captured Santa Anna
May - Santa Anna signs treaty recognizing Texan independence - _______ _______ is elected _______ of _______ of _______. He asks the USA to _______ Texas, but conflict over the addition of another _______ _______ prevents this until _______ under President _______

Quiz on Church and Society

Quiz on Jacksonian Democracy

State of the Union Assignment

Eighth graders:

You need to read the President's recent State of the Union speech. On a piece of paper, write down the paragraphs in which he discusses or mentions responsibility. There are six or seven. Finally, please write a few paragraphs in which you evaluate or reflect on his discussion of responsibility. You don't have to agree with him politically, but continue the conversation.

PS If you were at Math Counts, you have an extra day.

Extra Credit Opportunity for Eighth Grade History

For extra credit (possibly), answer the following question on a piece of paper and hand it to me:

"Why is it ironic that Andrew Jackson is on the Twenty Dollar Bill?"

Eighth Grade 10-1 Questions

* What was the 'corrupt bargain'?

* What is the 'spoils system'?

* What was the 'Tariff of Abominations', and how did the South respond to it?

* What was the Nullification Crisis and how was it resolved?

Seventh Grade Work

Continuing in our chapter on The Middle Ages, you should finish Chapter Six, Section Three (all Reading Checks, and Section Review Questions One through Six)

Eighth Grade Work

Continuing in Chapter Nine on the South, you should finish the Reading Checks and Section Review Questions One, Two, Four, and Five.

Eighth Grade Work Due Tomorrow

Please finish and turn in Chapter Nine, Section One: all Reading Checks and Section Review, One through Six.

We will have another short presentation assignment coming soon!

Seventh Grade Work Due Tomorrow

Please finish Chapter Six, Section Three: all Reading Checks and One through Six from Section Review.

Soon we will be starting a castle project. Stay tuned!

Writing Assignment on Responsibility

The question on the board was: "In light of King's 'I Have A Dream Speech' and the Dr. Stanley Milgram quote, what is our responsibility in making or country a better place?"

Here is the King speech:


Here is the Milgram quote:
"It is easy to ignore responsibility when one is only an intermediate link in a chain of action."

Here is more information on the Milgram experiments.

Early Middle Ages

1800s to 1850s Quiz

Seventh Grade Work

We are continuing with Section Two of Chapter Six: define the Content Vocabulary, answer the Reading Checks, and answer Section Review Two through Six.

Eighth Grade Work

Today in class we continued with Section Two: all Reading Checks, Section Review One, Two, and Four through Six. You have to do number five, but if you put it on a separate page and illustrate it, there is a possibility of extra credit.

Seventh Grade Work

Chapter Six, Section One work (all Reading Checks, Section Review One through Six, and the Then and Now on p 329) will be collected this Friday.

We will have time in class to work on it tomorrow.

Eighth Grade Work This Week

Remember that your presentation on your assigned person is due this Friday. You should cover the basic facts of their life, but focus much more on what your person accomplished, tried to accomplish, and what legacy they left.

The work from Section One of Chapter Eight (all Reading Checks, Section Review One through Five, and the UGS questions from page 386) will be collected on Friday. We will probably have time to work on it in class tomorrow.

Questions for Seventh Grade Assignment

Seventh Graders,

You are to read the following statements about the Middle Ages (roughly 500 to 1400) to two different adults and ask them whether they are true or false. Yes, they can guess! Each of these statements is often believed, used in movies and tv, written in books, used in documentaries, but not all of them are actually true!

+ Thousands of women were burned for being witches in the Middle Ages
+ Bibles were locked up in church so nobody but the priests could read them
+ The poor were always nearly starving in the Middle Ages
+ Peasants’ houses had thatched roofs with animals living in them
+ People took baths once or twice a year
+ Middle Ages Marriages were commonly in the month of June because it was close to the regular bathing time, so people smelled good then
+ Even educated people believed the earth was the center of the universe
+ Even educated people believed the earth was flat

Bring their answers (along with the name or relation of who you asked) in tomorrow on a paper you can turn in. If you did it on your computer, you must either print it out or rewrite it on a paper.

Due tomorrow, Wednesday, January 4th