Eighth Grade Civil War Extra Credit!

Enjoy your Spring Break, students!

Many of you asked about the possibility of extra credit over Spring Break. I don't often offer extra credit, but I'm making an exception.

The Civil War has inspired many movies and documentaries; some are excellent, others less so. Many of these films are available on YouTube, Netflix, and at your local public library. For extra credit, choose two films, watch them, and write a critical review. If they are R-rated, you need to include a signed permission slip from your parents.

Your critical review should be at least three paragraphs. One paragraph (at least) should summarize and give a general overview of the movies. Another paragraph should be your discussion of what you learned about the Civil War from the movies, comparing and contrasting one with the other. Finally, a paragraph (at least one) should be your review of the two: what did you like, what did you not like, and why?

Drop the review in your assignment folder with the title, "MOVIE REVIEW-EXTRA CREDIT."

Wikipedia has a partial list of Civil War movies and documentaries on this link.

Welcome Back! FIRST DAY! Woo-hoo!

 

We're so excited! And we just can't hide it!

Welcome back to school! Finally! Our beautiful new campus is ready for a great year of school. And welcome also to Mr. Eddy's class.

Are you surprised to have homework today?

Students in my classes have four items to take care of:

• Finish Mr. Eddy's Student Survey. This is due Friday, September 13th.
• Acquire a composition book or notebook dedicated only to History. They need to have this by Friday, September 13th.
• Parents should read the welcome letter (found here) and let Mr. Eddy know (via email, or note with student, or in person) that they read it. Students will get extra credit for this! Please try to do so by Friday, September 13th.
• Parents need to complete the Million Words or Less assignment (found here) and get it to Mr. Eddy. Students will get extra credit for this! Please try to do so by Monday, September 23rd.

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!

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

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!

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.

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!

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.

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?"