Cate Ziegler - how are you?
I just wanted to update you on a couple of things. I hope it didn't make you all nervous down there when the blog started to change a little bit. I needed to create some things for studying for the First Americans Test as well as for some days I was out of town.
We started a new unit on the Great Age of Exploration. Last Monday, students chose one of the more well-known explorers to use for our upcoming Social Gathering (scheduled for next week). Let me know when you are ready and I will let you choose an explorer. The students answered some questions and other things for their explorer. The questions are located below in the blog entry for that day. Once again, let me know when you are ready and I will help you with this.
Tuesday the students read an article about a Chinese sea-captain that historians are starting to call the Chinese Columbus. I want you to read this article and I will fax one down. Or, have you already seen it?
Wednesday I returned and started the unit in earnest. I began by showing the students the very well known oddysey of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado - we discussed his story and I explained why we are doing this unit. Basically, without the Great Age of Exploration there never will be a United States of America. Then we talked about who really discovered America. We had a discussion about Columbus, Zheng He (that Chinese Sea-Captain), the Vikings, and other possibilities through out history. For example - Roman coins were found in an Indian mound in Texas. The mound dated to about 800 A.D. How did those coins get there?
Thursday, today, there was a lot I had to share with the students today. We discussed the homework assignment - Europe in the 15th Century - from the history book. I used a power point and some video to help me with the lesson. I will send these on in an email to Jemi soon.
Okay, let me know if you have any questions.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Zheng He - the Great Chinese Admiral - 70 years before Columbus
Trailer for the award-winning documentary on Zheng He.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Monday, February 26th
Okay everyone, we are beginning a new unit today - the Great Age of European Exploration. Starting with some curious individuals in the 15th century it will lead to people coming over to what is now the United States. These early colonists and adventurers will help begin settlements that will one day grow into the United States of America. It will be a very long journey. I am sorry I can't be with you today and I won't be until this Wednesday. For today though you can get started on an important mini-research activity that will end with you in costume. I will explain later. Ms. Kidd will help you select the name of one of these early explorers. Once you have your explorer go ahead and get started.
Follow these directions:
Open up a new word document on your desktop.
Copy and paste the questions below to the word document.
Begin to research the answers to these questions.
When complete - save the document to a folder with your name on it.
Go to MS GROUP and place this folder into the GREAT EXPLORERS folder (in your class period).
THE QUESTIONS:
What is the name of your famous explorer?
What is his nationality? (where was he born)
What was he exploring or looking for?
What did he find?
How many voyages did he make?
What became of your famous explorer? (did he die? worshipped as a hero? etc...)
What is the major accomplishment he is remembered for?
Copy and Paste at least one picture of your explorer on the word doc.
Copy and Paste at least one map of the voyages or places explored on the word doc.
THESE LINKS (right hand side of this blog) WILL HELP YOU COMPLETE THIS TASK. Browse for your explorer. Good luck and see you Wednesday. Questions? email me at bmarkwald@usmk12.org
Follow these directions:
Open up a new word document on your desktop.
Copy and paste the questions below to the word document.
Begin to research the answers to these questions.
When complete - save the document to a folder with your name on it.
Go to MS GROUP and place this folder into the GREAT EXPLORERS folder (in your class period).
THE QUESTIONS:
What is the name of your famous explorer?
What is his nationality? (where was he born)
What was he exploring or looking for?
What did he find?
How many voyages did he make?
What became of your famous explorer? (did he die? worshipped as a hero? etc...)
What is the major accomplishment he is remembered for?
Copy and Paste at least one picture of your explorer on the word doc.
Copy and Paste at least one map of the voyages or places explored on the word doc.
THESE LINKS (right hand side of this blog) WILL HELP YOU COMPLETE THIS TASK. Browse for your explorer. Good luck and see you Wednesday. Questions? email me at bmarkwald@usmk12.org
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The First Americans Test is Friday, Feb. 22nd
This page will help you with preparing for the test this Friday. By no means is this all you need to do to study but it will help. You will find different vokis, voicethreads, and video to help you remember the important stuff!
The Migration Theories Voicethread - help review the theories
Check out the video on Cahokia below - it will help you understand it better.
The Iroquois Great Law of Peace!
The Migration Theories Voicethread - help review the theories
Check out the video on Cahokia below - it will help you understand it better.
The Iroquois Great Law of Peace!
Feb. 14th and Feb. 19th
Afternoon Cate,
Last Thursday, Feb. 14th, the students were in the computer lab for the final time working on their Native American Story Books. These are due on Wed. Feb. 20th.
Tuesday, Feb. 19th, I started class with final directions of what to do to finish the storybooks. Then we began our last topic for this introductory First Americans unit. We are discussing and learning about the Hau de no sau nee or the Iroquois as they are also known. We are reading a handout in class about their contributions to our society. I will send this down with the questions they are discussing. Okay, let me know if you have any questions.
Last Thursday, Feb. 14th, the students were in the computer lab for the final time working on their Native American Story Books. These are due on Wed. Feb. 20th.
Tuesday, Feb. 19th, I started class with final directions of what to do to finish the storybooks. Then we began our last topic for this introductory First Americans unit. We are discussing and learning about the Hau de no sau nee or the Iroquois as they are also known. We are reading a handout in class about their contributions to our society. I will send this down with the questions they are discussing. Okay, let me know if you have any questions.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Feb 7th, Feb 8th, Feb 11, Feb 12, AND FEB 13TH!!
Hi Cate,
Things have been crazy around here since last Wednesday's snow day. Here is a brief summary of what we did in class the last four days:
Thursday, Feb. 7 - In the computer lab, I introduced the students to the Native American Story Book project. We looked at the guidelines, examples, and they chose stories to read.
Friday, Feb. 8 - In the lab working on the stories. I will talk to Jemi about the Story Book Project.
Monday, Feb 11th - Mr. Paul Salerno came to our room to present his stories about working on the Sioux (Lakota) indian reservation in South Dakota. He brought props and told his stories.
Tuesday, Feb. 12th - (I was home sick with a little girl). Students went to the lab and worked on the stories.
Wednesday, Feb. 13 - We spent today discussing the two civilizations that we are examining that existed before the United States came into existence. We reviewed the Anasazi virtual tour and made sure everyone had the right information. Then we learned about the moundbuilding culture that once existed primarily EAST of the Mississippi river. We discussed the story Journey to Cahokia. They took a Journey to Cahokia reading quiz. We looked at examples of mounds on a power point. Add this information to the back side of your Anasazi notes/tour: The Mound Builders! Location: Primarily EAST of the Mississippi River. 1000's and 1000's of mounds built for reasons that are now lost. 3 types of Mounds are found - 1. Effigy mounds - made to be in the shape or "likeness" of something i.e. birds, animals, people, 2. Burial mounds (self-explanatory), and 3. Mounds constructed for religious purposes. Largest mound pyramid in the world is at Cahokia, Illinois. Cahokia was a great mound city which had influence all over the region. Wisconsin is the state that contains the most mounds that remain today - over 4,000. They are all over the place.
Check out the video on Cahokia below - it will help you understand it better.
Things have been crazy around here since last Wednesday's snow day. Here is a brief summary of what we did in class the last four days:
Thursday, Feb. 7 - In the computer lab, I introduced the students to the Native American Story Book project. We looked at the guidelines, examples, and they chose stories to read.
Friday, Feb. 8 - In the lab working on the stories. I will talk to Jemi about the Story Book Project.
Monday, Feb 11th - Mr. Paul Salerno came to our room to present his stories about working on the Sioux (Lakota) indian reservation in South Dakota. He brought props and told his stories.
Tuesday, Feb. 12th - (I was home sick with a little girl). Students went to the lab and worked on the stories.
Wednesday, Feb. 13 - We spent today discussing the two civilizations that we are examining that existed before the United States came into existence. We reviewed the Anasazi virtual tour and made sure everyone had the right information. Then we learned about the moundbuilding culture that once existed primarily EAST of the Mississippi river. We discussed the story Journey to Cahokia. They took a Journey to Cahokia reading quiz. We looked at examples of mounds on a power point. Add this information to the back side of your Anasazi notes/tour: The Mound Builders! Location: Primarily EAST of the Mississippi River. 1000's and 1000's of mounds built for reasons that are now lost. 3 types of Mounds are found - 1. Effigy mounds - made to be in the shape or "likeness" of something i.e. birds, animals, people, 2. Burial mounds (self-explanatory), and 3. Mounds constructed for religious purposes. Largest mound pyramid in the world is at Cahokia, Illinois. Cahokia was a great mound city which had influence all over the region. Wisconsin is the state that contains the most mounds that remain today - over 4,000. They are all over the place.
Check out the video on Cahokia below - it will help you understand it better.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Friday, Feb 1, Monday Feb. 4, and Tuesday Feb. 5
Afternoon Cate,
Okay, let me break it down like this:
Friday, Feb. 1 - We discussed the homework from the book reading (pages 27-29). Big discussion about what I learned in 7th grade history - The Bering Land Bridge Theory. Using the smartboard I gave them a visual look at what the Bering Land Bridge Theory is all about. BUT, I then said that there were new ideas about the origins of Native Americans begin discussed now. The students then watched 20 minutes of a NOVA video called the Mystery of the First Americans. I will send this video down to Jemi. No notes with it - just watch and get freaked out!
Monday, Feb. 4. - Okay, we continued our discussion about the Origins of the First Americans by reviewing from Friday. We reviewed the Bering Land Bridge theory (also called the Clovis Theory/People) and talked about Kennewick Man from the video WITH emphasis on the difference of his skull shape to those of Ancient Native Americans. Where did this guy come from? So, this was a lead in to reading an article on the different migration theories that are HOTLY debated by scientists today. I will fax down the handout. BUT, I wouldn't do this until after watching the NOVA video.
Tuesday, Feb. 5 - We were in the lab today. We had a binder check. I would like to see your maps Caitlin - the political and physical maps? Students got on the computers and we began a look at two different early American Indian civilizations - The Anasazi and the Mound Builders. Today we focused on the Anasazi or "Ancient Ones" also known as the "Cliff Dwellers". Visit the our class website and go to American History 2008 - First Americans - and find the link to the anasazi and mound builders 2008. Students also did a virtual tour of the Anasazi by going to the website (same as above) and clicking on Anasazi Virtual Tour. I will include the work for this. I saw your email for the story you are choosing that is fine unless you want to choose another. There is time yet to choose.
Okay, let me break it down like this:
Friday, Feb. 1 - We discussed the homework from the book reading (pages 27-29). Big discussion about what I learned in 7th grade history - The Bering Land Bridge Theory. Using the smartboard I gave them a visual look at what the Bering Land Bridge Theory is all about. BUT, I then said that there were new ideas about the origins of Native Americans begin discussed now. The students then watched 20 minutes of a NOVA video called the Mystery of the First Americans. I will send this video down to Jemi. No notes with it - just watch and get freaked out!
Monday, Feb. 4. - Okay, we continued our discussion about the Origins of the First Americans by reviewing from Friday. We reviewed the Bering Land Bridge theory (also called the Clovis Theory/People) and talked about Kennewick Man from the video WITH emphasis on the difference of his skull shape to those of Ancient Native Americans. Where did this guy come from? So, this was a lead in to reading an article on the different migration theories that are HOTLY debated by scientists today. I will fax down the handout. BUT, I wouldn't do this until after watching the NOVA video.
Tuesday, Feb. 5 - We were in the lab today. We had a binder check. I would like to see your maps Caitlin - the political and physical maps? Students got on the computers and we began a look at two different early American Indian civilizations - The Anasazi and the Mound Builders. Today we focused on the Anasazi or "Ancient Ones" also known as the "Cliff Dwellers". Visit the our class website and go to American History 2008 - First Americans - and find the link to the anasazi and mound builders 2008. Students also did a virtual tour of the Anasazi by going to the website (same as above) and clicking on Anasazi Virtual Tour. I will include the work for this. I saw your email for the story you are choosing that is fine unless you want to choose another. There is time yet to choose.
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