Grading in Process!

Please do not panic! Grades are being updated over the next few days. They should be updated and ready to see on Monday.

Assignment on Inaugural Speech

In class we watched the inaugural speech from yesterday. Remember that you need to summarize the speech (a paragraph is good): what does the President say? What are his points? What does he think America should do? And so forth. This should not involve your opinion, only what the speech is about.

The second part of your assignment is to pull out a quote or line or phrase from the speech and respond to it. Why do you think this line is important? Is the President referring to something else? Do you agree? Disagree? You may include your opinion in this part.

 Due tomorrow.

American History

Chapter Eleven on Manifest Destiny

Remember that tomorrow I will be checking your notes on Section Two of Chapter Eleven. Read it and take notes!

Manifest Destiny Images Used In Class Today

iPhoto Project

Your iPhoto Project is due on Thursday.

1. Upload 20-40 photos to iPhoto.

2. Edit 10 photos to enhance their effect in presentation.

3. Embed text into the presentation.

4. Create an organized  slide show.

5. Incorporate music into the project that blends well with the photos.

6. Adjust each slide transition.

7. Title your presentation creatively. 

Your slideshow topic is yourself. You can include family, interests, musical bands you like, favorite movies, sports, hobbies, pasttimes, etc. 

I will give you an example slideshow presentation on Monday or Tuesday.

Terms for Technology

Add this list to the terms you have already defined (past terms can be found on earlier blog posts):

• hardware
• software
• peripherals
• virus
• spam
• phishing
• reboot 
• crash

You will have a quiz on all the terms we have defined this week.

Tomorrow's Essay Test

For the test tomorrow—when you write an essay in response to the question, "Was Andrew Jackson a good president?"—you will be allowed to use your worksheet (and any notes you have written on it.)

Good luck! If you have been participating in the work daily, then you will do great!

Resources for iPhoto Project

Short Video on Andrew Jackson and the National Bank

Technology Class - On Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace

Here is the video on Babbage and his Analytical Engine that we watched in class.

Don't forget that we also discussed Ada Lovelace and her contributions and Babbage's Difference Engine. We also added"url" and "IP address" to our terms.

American History - Resources on President Jackson and Indian Removal

Good Overview from about.com

Video watched in class:

Homework Question for Technology and New Terms

What is the difference between the World Wide Web and the Internet?

New Terms:
Application
Browser
Email

Links to Articles on Tariff Debate/Nullification Crisis

Miller Center on Nullification Crisis

Gilder Lehman Institute on Nullification (read "Background" section)

Eighth Grade History This Week

Today in class we discussed our plans for the week. We will be learning more about President Andrew Jackson and his time in office. Today we looked at the spoils system and how Jackson expanded democracy.

Remember to have in your notes a definition of the spoils system (including a definition of "bureaucracy"), the advantages and disadvantages of the spoils system, and who could vote after Jackson came into office that was not previously allowed to.

We will look also at Jackson and the tariff debate, Indian removal, and the National Bank this week. Remember that on Friday you will write an essay in class answering (and defending your answer) the question, "Was Andrew Jackson a good president?"

Eighth Grade Technology

Today we discussed what we will be covering in this semester's class. We also defined three terms for our notes. Make sure you have these terms defined:

• computer
• program
• operating system

Welcome Back!

Please hold your excitement.